Convent Black Sisters

Initially located in the vicinity of the Church of Our Lady, the Black Sisters bought a building in the Kromme Elleboog (Zwarte Zustersstraat) in 1493-1494. The sisters were mainly concerned with caring for residents affected by a contagious disease (especially plague sufferers). For this purpose, a special hospital was erected in their garden in 1545, which was enlarged in 1702. After the total destruction in 1706 as a result of the bombardment of the city by English and Dutch troops, everything was completely renewed. In 1733, the reconstruction was completed with the consecration of a new church. In 1798 the nuns were expelled from their convent by force of arms.

In 1828 they were able to purchase part of the former Prinsenhof on the Koornaard (Vlasmarkt). From 1838 onwards, renovations began and continued until the beginning of this century.
On the ground floor, the monastery had several large reception rooms, a chapel, two refectories and other service rooms. On the upper floors, the guest rooms for distinguished guests and sleeping cells for the sister were built.

Unfortunately, the Black Sister Convent did not escape the thorough destruction of the city in September 1914. Only a few art treasures had survived the fire and looting. In 1919 the monastery was able to acquire a few adjacent properties and the Ghent architect Henri Valcke started with the plans for a new building. The works were completed in 1923.
The current monastery is a neo-Gothic building in traditional brick and sandstone style, with a remarkable corner tower and a continuous side façade in the old Affligemhoek (square at the former Fish Market). Part of the old refuge of the abbey of Affligem was preserved in this way. Internally, the monastery was kept quite austere. The neo-Gothic chapel was rebuilt in this spirit in the 1960s.

Stichting Open Kerken