Dit is in Bethlehem

Dit is in Bethlehem is a Renaissance house on Gasthuisstraat featuring a sculptured frieze depicting battling horsemen beneath the first floor and multiple ornamental elements across its facade. The building now houses a bookstore and serves as a meeting space.

The house was built in 1566 as a patrician residence and incorporates a stone from the former Franciscan monastery taken during the city's capture by the Water Beggars. This period marked major political change in the region.

The entrance displays a Dutch inscription from 1566 warning about mortality, while a relief shows a Nativity scene with the text 'Dit is in Bethlehem'. This religious message was common among wealthy residents of the 16th century and shapes how the building appears today.

The building is accessible from outside and the ornamental facade can be viewed well from the street. The interior spaces can occasionally be visited during special events, so it is worth checking local information beforehand.

The side wall along Tinnergietersteeg displays the construction year through decorative wall anchors integrated into the building structure. This method of embedding the date was a typical craftsman technique of Renaissance architecture.