Beguinage of Aarschot

The Beguinage of Aarschot is a religious complex made of whitewashed houses arranged in rows around a central courtyard with gardens. The buildings follow medieval architectural patterns and create an organized residential layout that keeps communal spaces at the heart of the community.

Founded in the 13th century, the beguinage emerged as a response to women seeking spiritual life outside formal convent structures. The complex continued to evolve through the medieval period, preserving evidence of this distinctive religious movement in its physical layout today.

The buildings show how women chose to live in a self-governing community, finding their own balance between spiritual practice and personal independence. Walking through the courtyards, you can see how this living arrangement gave them space to work, pray, and decide their own daily rhythms.

The site is accessible by public transportation and informational panels throughout the complex explain its history and how residents lived. You can walk through the layout at your own pace, taking time to observe the house groupings and shared garden spaces.

Each woman who lived here owned her own house individually, even while being part of a shared religious community. This combination of private property and communal life set the beguinage apart from traditional convents of the period.