Room for regents

Today I did a guided tour in an old guesthouse in the centre of Utrecht, Bartholomeus Gasthuis. I was the only participant so I had a private tour. 

The building was built in the 14th century and served as a guesthouse for weary travelers for one or two nights. Later on a wealthy man bought it and made it into a house for old people to live there the rest of their lives. A simple life. Each had a bed on a large dorm room and a chest for his belongings. From the dorm room they had view on the chapel so they were able to see the mass. The rich man left all of his money to the guesthouse. Before he died he set up a fund and installed a group of men as regents (in that time they were called brothers) to take care of things. A long time later this room for regents was added. Up until now the guesthouse still has regents. Like a board of directors. 

In the years since it was first built the building has been extended and rebuilt. Nowadays it is an open care facility. A closed floor for people with dementia, little apartments for people who need care, rooms for people who need temporary care and it also has some little expensive rental houses for elderly couples. They bring in part of the money. 

They also rent out several parts of the building like this room. For lunches or meetings.