Loose Morals Behind the Church

At the end of the 15th century, at this place behind the church, where the 'potmerckt' used to be, there was a 'bath stove', described as the 'clausura of Christinen Tauwers'. At that time, taking a bath was still a pleasure. Especially when it happened in company. Heating a large amount of water was not that cheap and so it was efficient when done in large quantities and for several people. Private individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit therefore organized private bathhouses. The aforementioned Latin term 'clausura' (closed house) refers to this 'closed' character. Not only did they take a bath, but they also ate well, drank a lot, played music and played with the dice. And it was the preparation for earlier sensual games. No wonder that bathhouses were places where prostitution was practiced. It is interesting to know that these houses were usually managed by a lady.

In 1455 the magistrate of the city already took action to curb fornication and at the end of the 15th century they were banned everywhere. That is also the moment when syphilis strikes and, like the plague, sweeps through Europe and causes many deaths. Afterwards, the virulent strength appears to decrease, but the disease will remain very present.

In the 19th century, venereal diseases were rampant in Diest. Prostitution was allowed. Perhaps the presence of soldiers was not entirely unrelated to this. For example, in 1850 it was decided to provide a separate room in the hospital for sufferers of venereal diseases.

On June 24, 1852, the city council issued regulations on prostitution. This meant, among other things, that the prostitutes had to be registered and had to undergo regular medical examinations. If a disease was detected, the licence was revoked. The execution could not take place until 1853 when a physician could be appointed. Male brothel patrons got off scot-free. Nevertheless, the measure apparently had an effect, because the number of nursing days in the infirmary fell from 503 in 1854 to 60 in 1857.

The bourgeoisie took offense at prostitution to such an extent that the girls were not allowed to go to the hospital through the main streets, but via a specific route. By the way, houses of pleasure were also not allowed to settle in the main streets of the city. Thus, in 1850, such an establishment was closed that was strategically located on the corner of Demerstraat and Statiestraat.

Jan Rymenams