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The Begijnhof in Amsterdam. Author Dudva.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Beguinage (Begijnhof)

Beguinage is a unique phenomenon in our society that many people are not aware of. At this point before we look at the fascinating facts, it would be prudent for us to define what this is all about. Put simply, a b茅guinage is similar to a convent. It鈥檚 said to be a closed, sometimes secluded religious community for unmarried women, where they lived and worked as a group.

For purposes of clarity, it鈥檚 important to note that unlike a convent, the occupants (known as beguines) were not nuns. Although their lives were dedicated to God and religious work, beguines didn鈥檛 take religious vows; they didn鈥檛 collect alms, and were free to leave the b茅guinage if they pleased.

1. They Came Into Existence During The Middle Ages In Western Europe

Western Europe in The Middle Ages. Author Joseph R. Strayer / Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc.

B茅guinages were first developed as small communities during the Middle Ages in Western Europe. But in the 13th century, they evolved into larger communities in what are now Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France.

These new, larger 鈥渃ourt鈥� b茅guinages usually were characterized by several boarding houses for the beguines, multiple churches and chapels, courtyards, gardens, farms, and production buildings like bakeries and breweries. Quite an interesting phenomenon.

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2. They are included On The official UNESCO World Heritage Sites List

UNESCO World Heritage. Author NordNordWest.

As a reader you will be fascinated to learn that all the 12 Flemish b茅guinages are included on the official UNESCO World Heritages sites list.

You will be interested to learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Here

3. The name Flemish Beguinages Is Derived From Their Location, Flanders

East Flanders, Belgium. Author Herman.vandenbroeck.

All b茅guinages are located in Flanders, hence the name Flemish b茅guinages. The Flemish region (Flanders) together with the Walloon Region (Wallonia) and Brussels Capital Region constitute the Kingdom of Belgium. Sometimes you will see 鈥榖茅guinage鈥榳ritten as 鈥榖egijnhof鈥�, which is the Flemish/Dutch variant of the word.

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4. It Has Been Able To Survive And Maintain Its Original State

As you explore the world of Beguinages, the Grand B茅guinage (known in Flemish as Groot Begijnhof), and located in the city of Leuven, will not miss to catch your eye. It鈥檚 surprisingly large, with around 100 neat brick houses either side of a river. The houses and buildings are all really well preserved, and walking around the area on a nice sunny day is just a fantastic experience.

It鈥檚 hard to believe, despite the b茅guinage being founded in the 13th century and was able to survive the Protestant Reformation, the French Revolution, and both World Wars. It was in use right through until the 1970s, when it was sold to the University of Leuven and converted into housing for both students and academics.

5. The Environment is quite Intriguing To A Tourist Visiting the Place

As indicted earlier, they are located in the city of Leuven, Belgium. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Leuven b茅guinage is how it鈥檚 essentially designed as a small town. Its beauty can be viewed in terms of nice rows of streets, canals, courtyards, squares, and several gardens too. And of course, the architecture is splendid, with neat brick houses and high gabled roofs, fairly typical of the medieval Belgian style.

6. The Most Commonly-Visited Of All The Flemish B茅guinages Is The One Located In Bruges

Photos of one of the canals of the city of Bruges. Author Rio0601.

Possibly the most commonly-visited of all the Flemish B茅guinages is the one located in Bruges. Many visitors coming here sometimes may not realize that  they鈥檙e visiting one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium Located just on the southern edge of Bruges, the b茅guinage here is quite different to the Grand B茅guinage in Leuven. The Bruges b茅guinage is much more like a compound.

 It is fortified with a high wall on three sides and a canal on the fourth, the entire complex is arranged around a beautiful central garden with green lawns and shady trees.

Check out this article to know more about Brussels before visiting

7. It Is Quite Visually Distinct As Well

For a tourist visiting the place, it鈥檚 quite visually distinct as well. You will realize that all of the houses are whitewashed and with large windows, so they have a really different appearance to the tall brick houses of Leuven.

 You will also feel a lovely, relaxing and peaceful spot, and a great little oasis from the tourist bustle of Bruges. There are even signs around the courtyard asking people to respect the peace and quiet, which is quite a nice touch! That is the Beguinage for you.

8. The B茅guinage of Sint-Amandsberg Is Located Quite A Distance From The City Center

Center of Sint-Amandsberg. Author LimoWreck.

For those who don鈥檛 know, the city of Ghent is actually home to two of the World Heritage Flemish B茅guinages: the Petit B茅guinage de Gent, or Small B茅guinage, and the B茅guinage of Sint-Amandsberg. Although both are interesting and attractive in their own ways, it鈥檚 the B茅guinage of Sint-Amandsberg that really stands out here. This is because of its location in the east of the city, quite a distance from the centre.

9. The Current B茅guinage Of Sint-Amandsberg Was Constructed In The 1870s

As a reader it may fascinate you to learn that unlike other b茅guinages we鈥檝e seen elsewhere, which were built in the Middle Ages, the current b茅guinage of Sint-Amandsberg was constructed in the 1870s.

It was originally located in the centre of Ghent. Due to the expansion of the city, the community was gradually pushed out of its space, and forced to relocate to new premises. You will observe that the buildings here are noticeably newer and in better condition than the b茅guinages in Bruges and Leuven, and in a slightly more modern architectural style as well.

There is also a surprisingly large Gothic-style church which sits at the center of the complex, surrounded by parkland and dominating the area. Overall, the Flemish Beguines are one of the best things to see in Belgium.

10. The Occupants Could join and Leave Without Restrictions

 It gets very interesting  to learn about how women could join and leave of their own volition without being subject to strict religious orders. As reported earlier they were not necessarily nuns and were usually single women who wanted to live a purely religious life. Definitely a fascinating spot, and one of our favorite UNESCO sites in Belgium.