Founded in 1244 as a refuge for the large numbers of single women and widows, as a result of the imbalance caused for several centuries by huge losses of men during the Crusades and subsequent wars. Here they were able to live independently, in a modest, pious yet comfortable fashion. They were not nuns...they took no vows and were called Beguines. They spent their time making lace, baking, and administering to the poor & sick in the city. There were several other Beguinages (French title) in Belgium & France and this one carried on functioning right up until the last Beguine died in 1927. Since 1930 it has been a convent for Benedictine nuns, who have upheld many of its traditions.
Open for the general public to walk through, there is a large notice by the main gatehouse, requesting that silence is repected within the Begijnhof. Indeed it is a most calm & peaceful place, consisting of a tree covered grassy square surrounded by cobbled street, church and white gabled houses & cottages, mostly of 17th & 18th century origin.