The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde' in Bruges (Belgium) with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245.
This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life.
Today the beguinage is inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried.
The princely beguinage De Wijngaard still bears witness to the religious life. The large lawn is covered with hundreds of daffodils in spring. Sunlight is filtered through dozens of stately trees.
The sober inner gardens of almshouses de Meulenaere, Sint-Jozef and De Vos used to be the place where poor elderly women could dry their laundry and plant some flowers. The Minnewater is the ‘mythical’ place where water enters the city and feeds the world-famous canals of Bruges.
The Minnewater Park is located at the edge of the water. Once the garden of a stately manor, it is now a lively and green place for the residents of Bruges.
#Beguinage
#Brugge
#bruges
5 окт 2024
