Ten Wijngaerde Béguinage

Ten Wijngaerde Béguinage (Begijnhof). Founded by Margaret, Countess of Flanders, in 1245. Liturgical Centre. Begijnhof 4. Diephuis. Begijnhof 6. "The Béguines were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world. In the 13th century they founded the béguinages , enclosed communities designed to meet their spiritual and material needs. The Flemish béguinages are architectural ensembles composed of houses, churches, ancillary buildings and green spaces, with a layout of either urban or rural origin and built in styles specific to the Flemish cultural region." "...the Beguinage, founded in the 13th century. The entrance is in the right angle of the Place de la Vigne; we cross a bridge, affording a pretty glimpse, and pass through a gateway of 1776. The low, whitewashed houses surround a court shaded by elm".--Baedeker 1910. Part of the Flemish Béguinages UNESCO World Heritage site. DSC_1046