Museum Gouda, Historic art museum in Gouda, Netherlands.
Museum Gouda is an art museum housed in a former medieval hospital building and displays paintings, ceramics, and archaeological artifacts spread across multiple floors. The collection provides insights into local art history and everyday objects from different periods.
The building served as a hospital starting in the 13th century and operated as a medical facility for over 600 years before being converted into a museum in 1947. This long history of healing continues to shape the character of the space.
The collection includes religious artworks such as altar pieces and sculptures that reflect the spiritual beliefs of the region across different periods. Visitors can observe how faith shaped the artistic choices and subjects of local creators.
The building has different levels and narrow passages, which means access is limited for people with mobility restrictions. It helps to explore the permanent collection gradually to fully experience both the architecture and the various rooms.
The museum preserves the original anatomical theater from 1785, where medical students studied surgical techniques using actual specimens. This rare surviving space demonstrates the teaching methods of that era and their moral limits.
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