The city walking tour on illness and healthcare in days gone by takes you past former hospitals such as the Catharina Gasthuis and the Diaconessenhuis, as well as the homes of the famous Gouda physicians Ronsse, Bleuland, and Büchner. What did they mean to the city’s residents?
Gouda experienced a number of plague epidemics in the 16th and 17th centuries. Who cared for the people who had contracted this highly contagious and often fatal disease? In the 19th century, there were regular outbreaks of cholera, which claimed the lives of mainly children. The poor quality of the drinking water was a major cause.
During the walk, you’ll learn all about the poor hygiene of centuries past, the harsh living conditions, the poor water quality, and the most common diseases. You’ll not only meet doctors and surgeons, but the remarkable midwife Anna van Hensbeek will also be highlighted.
At each stop along the way, the guide will share many interesting and entertaining facts about how the sick were cared for in Gouda in days gone by. This walking tour is ideal for people who are already familiar with Gouda’s main attractions and are looking for something different. For this group, the walking tour on illness and care in days gone by is particularly interesting.
This introductory walking tour is offered exclusively in Dutch.
Participants:
Maximum of 20 people per guide. If there are more people, we will assign an additional guide.
Booking:
You can book via our websiteuntil the start of the walk. You will then automatically see if and how many spots are still available.
On the day of the tour, you can also book and pay at the VVV, but only if online booking and payment are not possible. This applies, for example, to international participants.
Payment:
The rate in 2026 (unless otherwise stated) is €5 per person. Children under 12 are free. You must pay immediately via iDeal when booking.
Start:
2:00 PM at the Waag on the Markt.
Duration:
The walk takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Information
End: 15:30p.m.
