These unique places, sometimes referred to as “women republics” were established by The Béguines. They were women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world and its material lifestyles. Unlike regular nuns, beguines were not under vows of celibacy, obedience and poverty. They did not take a vow of chastity and obedience for as long as they choose to stay at the beguinage.

In the 13th century they founded the béguinages, enclosed communities designed to meet their spiritual and material needs. The Flemish béguinages are architectural ensembles composed of houses, churches, ancillary buildings and green spaces, with a layout of either urban or rural origin and built in styles specific to the Flemish cultural region. They are a fascinating reminder of the tradition of the Béguines that developed in Flanders in the Middle Ages. Many of the original beguinages (which were put on the UNESCO World Heritage List) are still in existence today and can be visited.

The beguinage of Bruges is a must and so are the beguinages of Leuven, Ghent and Lier. For all its popularity, the Beguinage of the Vineyard in Bruges is not at all commercialized even though it is the most popular among tourists; at present it is a convent for Benedictine nuns.

For a great reading on the Beguinages of Belgium check out this article in the New York Times:
Website: www.nytimes.com/1990/10/21/magazine/ancient-beguinages-of-flanders.html