Its origin is connected with the merchant Adorno family. In the second half of the 13th century, this family came to Flanders from Genoa. They applied for the privilege of running a cantina, which gave them handsome profits. Members of this family were often involved in the political life of Bruges, as well as all of Flanders. One prominent member of the family was Anselm Adorno, who lived in the 15th century and founded the Jerusalemkerk and turned the chapel into a work of art. He was involved in various political initiatives but lost the support of the authorities. As a result of riots in the city, he was taken into custody and was accused of embezzling money from the city’s coffers. He preserved his life thanks to a massive financial penalty and public penance (barefoot, with his head shaved and stripped of his clothes, he begged the mayor for forgiveness).
