The Refuge: ’de-lousing establishment' for German navy soldiers

The front was characterised by a desperate lack of hygiene. The soldiers suffered from pests, including lice. To help them get rid of them, they were often 'de-loused' and were able to take a bath. The soldiers of the Marinekorps Flandern stationed in Bruges did this in the Refuge.

From 1915, German doctors regularly examined prostitutes for venereal or sexually transmitted diseases across West Flanders. In doing so, they hoped to reduce contamination of their soldiers to a minimum.

The neo-Gothic Refuge was built between 1902-1914. As a Benevolence Establishment, it was initially intended to take in unwed mothers, but people with a light mental disability also stayed there.

Later on, the building was transformed into a women's prison. Currently, it serves as a detention centre for undocumented migrants.

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