Groot Begijnhof Van Leuven

Groot begijnhof van leuven

The large beguinage in Leuven is one of the best preserved and fully restored beguinages. Built in the southern part of Leuven on an area of approximately 4.2 hectares, it has approximately 300 apartments in 100 houses. Beguinage It stretches on both sides of the Dijle River, which divides here into two channels, creating an island inside the Beguinage. Three bridges lead to this part. Currently, the Beguinage is the property of the University of Leuven. It is used as a campus, especially for students and academic guests.

Beguinage was built in 1232. It was a kind of city within a city. Unmarried women lived here who wanted to worship God. They had at their disposal about 100 houses, a church, and an infirmary. The first golden age of the Beguinage in Leuven was in the 13th century, then in the 17th century, when about 360 beguines lived in the Beguinage.
During the religious wars, iconoclast attacks and the French Revolution, the Beguinage experienced a crisis, like all religious institutions at that time. Private property was abolished, but beguines could still live in the beguinage. Civilian residents began to inhabit the uninhabited buildings. The last beguine died in 1988.

Beguinage in Leuven forms a small walled town, with houses situated along a network of narrow streets and squares. Five of them date back to the 16th century, three houses still have wooden beams. The oldest house in the Beguinage is C, dating from 1561. hièvres, with a characteristic gable roof with dormers. Most of the houses date from 1630-1670. They were built of red brick. In the 19th century several houses were demolished and new ones were built in their place.

Church in the Beguinage, photo. PM

The church in the Beguinage is an early Gothic building with Romanesque elements. As is usual with churches for women's congregations, there is no tower. In its place, there is a bell tower (a small church tower) at the top of the roof.

Above the northern entrance to the church there are two Latin transcriptions indicating the dates: 1234 (founding of the Beguinage) and 1305 (building of the church).

address:

Schapenstraat, 3000 Leuven

opening hours:

Open every day

fare:

Free admission

Beguinage in Leuven, photo. PM

In 1998, the Leuven Beguinage, together with 12 other beguinages in Flanders, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walking through the charming streets of the Beguinage, you can feel the atmosphere of times gone by. Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in peace and quiet is the quintessence of relaxation.

Beguinage in Leuven, photo. PM

SMALL BEGUINAGE

Leuven also has a small beguinage, built in 1272, outside the old city walls, near the Abbey of St. Gertrude. The small beguinage has only one street with 30 houses. The last beguine who lived here died in 1855. The church belonging to the Beguinage was built in 1636 and demolished in 1862. In 1954, the dispensary gave way to the Stella Artois brewery. In 2000, the houses in the Beguinage were restored and sold to private individuals.

Beguinage can be visited nearby. It is not worth going to this area just to visit it. Of course, as is usually the case with city authorities, they see nothing inappropriate in placing a disgusting urinal right at the entrance to the Beguinage.

Little Beguinage, photo. PM

A disgusting urinal at the entrance to the small beguinage, photo. PM

ADDRESS: Halfmaartstraat , 3000 Leuven / Free admission