Godshuizen (Almshouses)

Many small, whitewashed almshouses can be seen in the townscape of Bruges, mostly clustered around a cosy courtyard. These precursors of public housing were established in de 14th century by wealthy townspeople or guilds. They housed poor elderly people or widows. More than 46 blocks of almshouses have been preserved, scattered over the city, 43 of which are still occupied by elderly people. These are a few very lovely blocks of almshouses: De Meulenaere and Sint-Jozef (Nieuwe Gentweg 8-22), Sint-Joosgodshuis (Ezelstraat 83-105), Godshuis De Vos (Noordstraat 6-14), O.L.Vrouw van Blindekens (Kreupelenstraat 12-16), De Pelikaan (Groene Rei 8/1-4), Zorghe, Paruitte and Schippers (Stijn Streuvelsstraat), Van Volden and De Moor (Boeveriestraat 50-76), Het Rooms Convent (Katelijnestraat 9-19).