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Hospices de Beaune

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History
The Htel-Dieu was founded on 4 August 1443, when Burgundy was ruled by Duke Philip the Good (Philippe le Bon). The Hundred Years War had recently been brought to a close by the signing of the Treaty of Arras in 1435. Massacres, however, continued with marauding bands ("corcheurs") still roaming the countryside, pillaging and destroying, provoking misery and famine. The majority of the people of Beaune were declared destitute.
Polychromic roof of the Hospices de Beaune
Nicolas Rolin, the Duke's Chancellor, and his wife Guigone de Salins, reacted by deciding to create a hospital and refuge for the poor.
The Hospices de Beaune received the first patient on 1 January 1452. Elderly, disabled and sick people, with orphans, women about to give birth and the destitute have all been uninterruptedly welcomed for treatment and refuge, from the Middle Ages until today.
Over the centuries, the hospital radiated outwards, grouping with similar establishments in the surrounding villages of Pommard, Nolay, Meursault. Many donations - farms, property, woods, works of art and of course vineyards - were made to it, by grateful families and generous benefactors. The institution is one of the best and oldest example of historical, philanthropic, and wine-producing heritage, and has become linked with the economic and cultural life of Burgundy.
Inside the Hospices
The courtyard
With a rectangular format, it is the best location to admire the different buildings amongst which three are decorated with a remarkable glazed-tile roof. This technique has probably its origins in Central Europe (possibly from cermanics master Mikls Zsolnay of Pcs, Hungary) but became quickly a landmark of the architecture from Burgundy (other glazed-tiled roofs could be observed in Dijon for instance). These tiles have four colours (red, brown, yellow and green) with interlaced designs. The current tiles have been recreated between 1902 and 1907. The Northern, Eastearn and Western buildings include a two-level gallery with stone columns on the ground floor and wood beams on the first floor. Many dormer and attic windows can be observed with finely detailed wood and iron works. A well with gothic ironwork can also be seen in the centre of the courtyard.
Room of the Poors - Salle des Pvres
Room of the Poors
Its dimensions are impressive: 50 meters long, 14 meters large and 16 meters high. On the ceiling, the visible painted frame is in an upside down boat-skiff shape and in each beam are sculpted caricatures of some important Beaune inhabitants. On the floor tiling are written Nicolas Rolin's monogram and his motto "Seulle" referring to his wife, Guigone de Salins. The room is furnished with two rows of curtained beds. The central area was dedicated to benches and tables for the meals. The pieces of furniture have been brought together in 1875 by the son in law of the architect Eugne Viollet-le-Duc. Each bed could welcome two patients.
The hospice possesses many artistic treasures, among them the mural paintings of the 17th century in the Salle St Hugues and an altarpiece, the Last Judgment, painted by Rogier van der Weyden.
The Polyptych of the Last Judgment, a remarkable work of Rogier van der Weyden
Wine auction
Main article: Beaune wine
The charity auction been arranged annually since 1851, taking place on the third Sunday in November amid a three day festival devoted to the food and wines of Burgundy. The Domaine des Hospices de Beaune is a non-profit organisation which owns around 61 hectares (150 acres) of donated vineyard land, much of this classified Grand and Premier cru. With bidding by professionnal and private buyers, the barrels, from 31 cuves of red wine and 13 of white wine, attain prices usually well in excess of the current commercial values, although the results give some indication of the trend in expected bulk wine prices for the vintage from the rest of the region.
The auction has been organised by Christie's since 2005, setting a record total figure at the the 149th auction in 2009 when 799 barrels were up for sale, and 40% bids by telephone, internet or fax connecting some 500 participants from around the world, the auction has in recent years evolved from a wholesale market to a retail market.
References
^ a b winepros.com.au, The Oxford Companion to Wine Hospices de Beaune
^ a b Christies.com Hospices de Beaune
^ Kakaviatos, Panos, Decanter.com (November 16, 2009).Hospices de Beaune nudges 2000 record
^ Sanderson, Bruce, Wine Spectator (November 16, 2009). Prices Up 20 Percent at the 149th Hospices de Beaune Auction
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Htel-Dieu de Beaune
Hospices de Beaune official site
Coordinates: 47119 45012 / 47.02194N 4.83667E / 47.02194; 4.83667
Categories: 1440s architecture | Buildings and structures in Cte-d'Or | Hospitals in France | 1443 establishments | Hospitals established in the 15th century

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