Begijnhof Sinte-Elisabeth te Sint-Amandsberg, Medieval religious complex in Sint-Amandsberg district, Ghent, Belgium
Begijnhof Sint-Elisabeth is a religious complex containing roughly 80 houses, multiple convents, a church, and an infirmary spread across several streets. The buildings are tightly packed together, forming an enclosed community with its own distinct character.
The complex was built between 1873 and 1874 as an ambitious project that employed many workers at the time. It represented a continuation of a centuries-old tradition of establishing communities for religious women.
The beguines who lived here were women seeking religious life without formal vows, maintaining control over their own affairs and property. This form of community allowed them personal freedom within a spiritual framework.
The site is accessible through two main entrances, with one open throughout the day. Walking through requires care as you navigate narrow streets lined with residential buildings that remain occupied.
The layout remains largely as it was built in the 1800s, with narrow passages, private gardens, and religious structures still standing. This preserved arrangement earned it recognition as part of Ghent's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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