Beginenhaus Kempten, Medieval architectural ensemble in Kempten, Germany.
Beginenhaus Kempten is a medieval architectural complex in Bavaria featuring a four-meter-high gate hall that opens onto an inner courtyard. The ensemble sits adjacent to the Nonnenturm tower, which is built into the historic city wall.
The complex was built in 1357 atop earlier foundations and gained an additional floor with a Renaissance roof during an expansion in 1585. These modifications reveal how the structure adapted to changing needs across two centuries.
The house once sheltered Beguines, women who lived in the city and devoted themselves to religious work without becoming nuns. Their presence shaped urban life and shows how women created their own communities.
The site can be viewed from the outside, giving a sense of how a medieval residential community was laid out. For deeper insights into its history, contact the Förderverein Beginenhaus Kempten organization.
Archaeological excavations at the site uncovered a Venetian silver coin from between 1570 and 1577. This discovery documents the trade connections and wealth that reached this medieval community.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
