|
Who were the Beguines?
The Begijnen (Beguines) were a Catholic order
of unmarried or widowed women founded in the twelfth century
in the Low Countries because of the gender imbalance caused
by the Crusades to the Holy lands, which many men left on
but were never to return.
Beguines were ordinary women who lived in seclusion in simple,
convent-like homes. They made no monastic vows and could leave
if they wished, but preferred to devote themselves to religious
worship and charitable work.
There are still several former Beguine houses, known as begijnhoven,
in all styles across Flanders. They're clusters of small houses
surrounded by a protective wall and built around a central
garden and church. Two of the most beautiful ones are those
of Bruges and Leuven.
Visiting a begijhoven today
These days there are no Beguine women left anywhere in Flanders.
Although the order lasted many centuries, the last woman died
in Bruges in 1930. There are pretty and quaint begijhoven
in many Flemish cities; the most beautiful ones are in Bruges.
Most begijnhoven, like those in Bruges, now house young families,
artists or nuns.
|
