Old Guesthouse

The Herental guesthouse, founded before 1253, is undoubtedly the oldest in the Kempen. From 'gasthof' it gradually evolved to 'hospital'. It was part of a convent of the Augustinian sisters.
You will see four buildings whose architecture is of historical importance. The entrance gate and the old monastery date from the seventeenth century. Pay particular attention to the sixteenth-century chapel, with Gothic choir windows, pointed lantern turret and low outer portal. It is still used for weddings and funeral ceremonies.
The old monastery now houses various services of the Herentalse OCMW. In the guest house barn you will find the oldest parts of the domain. In the trusses of the barn are beams from around the beginning of the fourteenth century.
The Old Hospital forms a remarkable whole with the red brick hospital from the interwar period, the hospital from the second half of the twentieth century, and a brand new wing from the twenty-first century.

Eddy&Rita