Beguinage, Antwerp
Antwerp is filled with historical and architectural delights, some quite prominent while others that go unnoticed by many and the Beguinage is one such historical site.
Secluded from the relatively urban area, the Beguinage is a welcoming sight for those who admire vintage architecture and love history. Enclosed within tall, bricked, windowless walls, the clustered housing complex of the 16th century transports its visitor to the medieval era. Today these isolated structures, reminisce the tale of the land and keep alive the memory of the much forgotten Beguines.
The Beguines were a group of religious women who followed the disciplined lives of the nuns without taking a formal oath or vow. However, unlike nuns, a Beguine had the freedom to leave the institution whenever she liked. This was a very popular cult during the 12th century especially amongst the Low Countries, which includes modern day countries of Belgium, Netherlands, parts of Germany and France.
The Beguinage in Antwerp was founded around 1240 and was situated outside the walls of the city. Due to constant attacks by plunderers, the Beguinage was shifted within the city limits of Antwerp. Today, all the Beguinages around the world are preserved as 鈥楬eritage Site鈥檚 by the UNESCO.
Secluded from the relatively urban area, the Beguinage is a welcoming sight for those who admire vintage architecture and love history. Enclosed within tall, bricked, windowless walls, the clustered housing complex of the 16th century transports its visitor to the medieval era. Today these isolated structures, reminisce the tale of the land and keep alive the memory of the much forgotten Beguines.
The Beguines were a group of religious women who followed the disciplined lives of the nuns without taking a formal oath or vow. However, unlike nuns, a Beguine had the freedom to leave the institution whenever she liked. This was a very popular cult during the 12th century especially amongst the Low Countries, which includes modern day countries of Belgium, Netherlands, parts of Germany and France.
The Beguinage in Antwerp was founded around 1240 and was situated outside the walls of the city. Due to constant attacks by plunderers, the Beguinage was shifted within the city limits of Antwerp. Today, all the Beguinages around the world are preserved as 鈥楬eritage Site鈥檚 by the UNESCO.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Antwerp. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Beguinage on Map
Sight Name: Beguinage
Sight Location: Antwerp, Belgium (See walking tours in Antwerp)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Antwerp, Belgium (See walking tours in Antwerp)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Antwerp, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Antwerp
Creating your own self-guided walk in Antwerp is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Antwerp Historic Center Walk
Antwerp is a bustling metropolis, replete with modern entertainment, yet it is the centuries-old city center that fuels tourists' interest the most. Indeed, downtown Antwerp is steeped in history. So much so, in fact, that to see all that it has to offer, you'll need way more than one day.
Here history awaits you practically round every corner 鈥� seen in the ancient building-fronts... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Here history awaits you practically round every corner 鈥� seen in the ancient building-fronts... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Antwerp Introduction Walking Tour
A major city-port on the River Scheldt in Belgium, Antwerp is known primarily as the diamond capital of Europe. For centuries, Antwerp's Diamond District has been the center of diamond trade, with thousands of dealers, cutters and polishers processing 85% of the world's rough diamonds each year.
Historical Antwerp has its origins in a Gallo-Roman settlement, first mentioned in the 4th... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Historical Antwerp has its origins in a Gallo-Roman settlement, first mentioned in the 4th... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Antwerp's Historical Churches Tour
Antwerp, a city steeped in history and culture, boasts an array of historical churches that stand as testaments to its past.
Reigning supreme among them is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a stunning 14th-century Gothic masterpiece. Its towering spire dominates the city skyline and houses invaluable artworks by renowned artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Otto van Veen, Jacob de Backer, and Marten de... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Reigning supreme among them is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a stunning 14th-century Gothic masterpiece. Its towering spire dominates the city skyline and houses invaluable artworks by renowned artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Otto van Veen, Jacob de Backer, and Marten de... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles