Stamps of France: Hotel-Dieu de Beaune

HOTEL-DIEU DE BEAUNE

The "Hospices de Beaune" or "Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune" is a former charitable alms-house in Beaune, France. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor and needy.

The original hospital building, the Hotel-Dieu, one of the finest examples of French fifteenth-century architecture, is now a museum. The hospice possesses many artistic treasures, among them the mural paintings of the 17th century in the Salle St Hugues and an altarpiece, the Last Judgment, painted by Rogier van der Weyden.

An important charity wine auction is held in November each year (formerly in the great hall of the Hotel-Dieu).

The Courtyard

With a rectangular format, it is the best location to admire the different buildings amongst which three are decorated with a glazed-tile roof. This technique has probably its origins in Central Europe but became quickly a landmark of the architecture from Burgundy.

These tiles have four colours (red, brown, yellow and green) with interlaced designs. The current tiles have been recreated between 1902 and 1907. The Northern, Eastern and Western buildings include a two-level gallery with stone columns on the ground floor and wood beams on the first floor. Many dormer and attic windows can be observed with finely detailed wood and iron works. A well with gothic ironwork can also be seen in the centre of the courtyard.

Room of the Poors

It measures 50x14x16 meters. On the ceiling, the visible painted frame is in an upside down boat-skiff shape and in each beam are sculpted caricatures of some important Beaune inhabitants. On the floor tiling are written Nicolas Rolin's monogram and his motto "Seulle" referring to his wife, Guigone de Salins. The pieces of furniture have been brought together in 1875 by the son in law of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

The Chapel

Following the large ward is the Chapel. The place for the chapel was chosen to allow the bedridden to attend Mass from their beds. In November 2010 the very first Catholic wedding since the construction of the building in 1443 was performed here.

The Page

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