Ten Wijngaerde, Medieval beguinage in central Bruges, Belgium.
Description
Ten Wijngaerde is a medieval beguinage in central Bruges, comprising about thirty white-painted houses arranged around a central courtyard. A Gothic church stands at the heart of this quiet enclosed complex, which is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
History
This complex was founded in 1244 under the protection of Margaret of Constantinople and functioned as an independent community where women lived and worked. Benedictine nuns have occupied it since 1927, continuing the long tradition of female religious life on the site.
Culture
The place reflects how beguines lived as independent religious women without taking formal vows, visible in the layout of white houses and the shared church. Daily life here balanced community duties with personal freedom, a way of life quite different from traditional convents.
Practical
The grounds are open daily and invite visitors to walk quietly through the courtyard and its surroundings. Parts of the church and some houses can be visited, though the museum section is accessed separately.
Did you know?
Several houses still function as private residences today, which preserves the living character of this site. This makes a visit special because you can sense the ongoing daily life within this centuries-old community.
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Bruges contains a notable set of buildings that tell the story of the city in the Middle Ages. From stone-faced churches to small paved squares, and canals winding between old houses, these places show how important trade and culture were during the 13th to 15th centuries. Every building and street...
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