Begijnhof (Beguinage)

The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde' with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life. Their life in the beguinage was lived in silence as much as possible. For centuries, Bruges Beguinage has continuously been inhabited exclusively by women. Today, some nuns from the Order of Saint Benedict and Order of Vincent de Paul live there, as well as single women.

This summer, the free exhibition "800 Years of the Beguinage" immerses you in the rich history, heritage, values, and future of this centuries-old community of women.

Good to know: the beguinage is an authentic and lively place (of silence), which has been centred on a serene lifestyle for centuries. Silence, as an intangible value, contributes to the exceptional universal values that led UNESCO to recognise this unique site as World Heritage. City of Bruges looks after the beguinage and expects every visitor to respect the values of this site. So visit the Beguinage in silence and cherish and appreciate this place as the locals do.