Klein Begijnhof, Ghent, Belgium

The Béguinages were communities of religious women founded in the 13th century, for widowed or single women. The community would develop around a church and, unlike in monasteries or convents, the women never took vows and could leave at any time to get married. They developed mainly in the Low Countries between the 13th and 16th centuries. In time many were absorbed by monastic orders and in the 16th century, most were suppressed by the Protestant Reformation.
The Klein Begijnhof of Ghent was founded in 1235 and at the height of its existence it housed 300 béguines. In the Begijnhof there are the remains of the Hoyetoren, a fortress tower that was part of the rampart surrounding the city. The remaining buildings painted with oxblood paint date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are currently let to private individuals on a long lease.
Unless you're interested in urbanism/ architecture history the Begijnhof isn't really worth the visit, as it is a quiet residential area with nothing to do.

Opened daily from 6.30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 Back to Ghent







Local: De Heilig Grafkapel, Lange Violettestraat, 9000 Gent, Bélgica

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