Overview:

is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is an old area of the city of Mechelen in Belgium, comprised of a large walled enclosure containing a collection of historic buildings that served as housing and a place of worship for women of a religious and social order known as Beguines. The compound is composed of houses, several chapels and the Church of Our Lady of the Visitation, all of which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The Beguinage of Mechelen is now owned and managed by Flemish Heritage, and offers visitors a view of life during the time of religious orders. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

The Begijnhof (Beguinage) of Mechelen in Belgium is a Roman Catholic religious community of Dutch-speaking nuns and lay sisters. It was founded in the early 13th century and is one of the oldest and last surviving convent complexes in Belgium. It is set in a large garden in a bend of the Dijle river, surrounded by a high wall and several trees. The complex consists of a church, a convent building, a whole network of narrow streets and alleys with white buildings, courtyards and a small park. The church, St. Rumbold's Cathedral, is a Gothic building with impressive stained-glass windows and unique altar pieces. The other buildings that make up the Begijnhof, including 16th century wooden houses, were built in various styles to blend with the architecture of the area. The Mechelen Beguinage is considered to be one of the most beautiful and most intact in all of Europe. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and its power to shape societies even centuries later. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

The Beguinage of Mechelen is the oldest Beguinage in Belgium. It is located in Mechelen, a city in the province of Antwerp. The beghard is a religious and social movement that is known throughout Europe. The Beguins of Mechelen were founded in the 13th century, during the reign of Duke Jan I of Brabant (r. 1267-1294). The Duke provided them with a parcel of land which they developed into a religious community surrounded by walls and gates. The Beguins of Mechelen embraced a life of prayer, work and charity. They built a chapel and hospice, and established themselves as a center of charity and care for the sick and poor. During the winter, they would offer accommodation and food to the homeless and destitute. The Beguinage of Mechelen has been much changed over the centuries. The French Revolution and many wars have destroyed parts of the original structure. In the 19th century, the Beguines were evicted and the buildings were renovated as a college and a prison. However, in 1925, the Beguines returned and the buildings were restored. Today, the Beguinage preserves the original layout, with a chapel, hospice and several houses. It is open as a museum and is a popular tourist attraction. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Beguinage of Mechelen was founded in 1244. 2. It is a well-preserved example of a Roman Catholic women’s religious community and was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1998. 3. The site consists of a number of buildings including a convent, a church, an infirmary and a garden. 4. The beguinage is still inhabited by a group of Catholic Sisters today. 5. The Beguinage of Mechelen is the oldest beguinage in Belgium. 6. It once housed up to 50 beguines, who dedicated their lives to the poor and sick. 7. The beguines practiced a style of communal living. 8. The Beguinage of Mechelen was overall a female dominated society. 9. It helped bring support and security to women who had nowhere else to turn. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era