Entrance gate to the Begijn Court

Gate to the monastery garden

06/2023 The entrance gate to the Begijnhof in Bruges feels like a solemn passage into a self-contained little world. The baroque gatehouse, with its round arch, the year 1776, and the protective inscription "Sauve Garde" (Safe Guard), marks the historic entrance to a centuries-old religious community. Above the gate stands a statue of Saint Elizabeth, the patron saint of the Begijnhof—a testament to the spiritual focus of the place.

The Begijnhof itself was founded in the 13th century and served as a protected living space for the Beguines. These religiously inclined women, not bound by strict monastic rules, lived here in community, dedicating themselves to prayer, education, and charitable work. Today, the complex, with its whitewashed houses and quiet courtyard, still conveys the atmosphere of a secluded, peaceful refuge.

Geographically, the Begijnhof lies on the southern edge of the old city, right next to the Minnewater. Those who enter through the gate via the small bridge leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and enter a place that has remained almost unchanged for centuries.