Since a number of years we do see evolve in the Belgian architecture a new style which is inspired by the architecture of the Flemish beguinages.
So today I would like to introduce you to the ‘Begijnhofstijl‘.
First you do have to know something more about a Begijnhof (Dutch) or Beguinage (English) and its residents.
A beguinage or begijnhof is a collection of small buildings used by beguines. A beguinage comprises a courtyard surrounded by small dwellings. It is often encircled by a wall and secluded from the town proper by one or two gates.Poor and elderly beguines were housed here by benefactors.
The first beguinages were set up in the 12th century.
No country has more beguinages than Belgium.
The Flemish Beguinages have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
For those of you who don't know, the Beguines were various lay sisterhoods of the Roman Catholic Church, founded in the 13th century in the Low Countries (Belgium, The Netherlands), comprising religious women who sought to serve God without retiring from the world. Their success was attributed due to a surplus of women after their men died in local wars. Great number of women had no option but to unite and collectively secure aid of rich benefactors. A common misconception is that beguines are nuns', which is not true.
Unlike sisterhoods that required a life spent apart from society under vows of chastity, these Catholic women looked for holiness outside monastic norms. Although they lived and prayed together within an enclave, partly as a form of mutual protection — some historians believe they banded together after losing their men to the Crusades, which left behind mainly criminals and louts — beguines were not confined to the cloister. Many ministered to the poor and sick outside their walls. Lifelong celibacy was not required either. They could leave the order and marry (but not return). The beguinages were experiments in communal living that worked successfully for centuries. But as the options for many European women multiplied after the 18th century, within the Catholic Church and beyond, the numbers of beguines rapidly declined. Belgium, which once had 94 beguinages, had only 20 in 1856; the members of the sisterhood fell by more than half between 1631 and 1828. Today, the order has only one surviving member, the 91-year-old Sister Marcella (Beguinage of Kortrijk) who lives in a Belgian rest home.
I posted pictures of some of the Belgian beguinages and in between I have shown you images of new build houses, inspired by the beguinage architectural style.
Beguinage of Bruges
Beguinage Bruges Source : Eigendom van www.op-reis.com & www.arakea.com : Alle rechten voorbehouden
New build Belgian house Source : De Landheer
Beguinage Bruges Source : Eigendom van www.op-reis.com & www.arakea.com : Alle rechten voorbehouden
New build Belgian house Source Vlassak Verhulst Villas
Beguinage Bruges Source : Eigendom van www.op-reis.com & www.arakea.com : Alle rechten voorbehouden
New build Belgian house Source Rik Storms
Beguinage Bruges Source : Eigendom van www.op-reis.com & www.arakea.com : Alle rechten voorbehouden
Beguinage Bruges Source Wikipedia
Beguinage of Kortrijk
As I went to high school in Kortrijk, I loved to walk around in the beguinage of Kortrijk.
Beguinage Kortrijk Source : http://www.virtualtourist.com
Beguinage Kortrijk Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage Kortrijk Source : http://kortrijk.wordpress.com
New build Belgian house Source : Compagnie Het Zoute
Beguinage Kortrijk Source : http://www.eltribel.be
Beguinage Kortrijk Source : http://www.flickr.com
Beguinage of Diksmuide
Beguinage Diksmuide Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source Vlassak Verhulst Villas
Beguinage Diksmuide Source : unknown
New build Belgian house Source : Timeless Living
Beguinage of Oudenaarde
Beguinage Oudenaarde Source : unknown
Beguinage Oudenaarde Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage of Antwerp
Beguinage Antwerp Source : http://www.flickr.com
Beguinage Antwerp Source : unknown
Beguinage of Hoogstraten
Beguinage Hoogstraten Source : http://www.wandelingvanhetjaar.be/?portfolio=digitale-stadswandeling-hoogstraten
Beguinage Hoogstraten Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source : Huysman
Beguinage of Aarschot
Beguinage Aarschot Source : unknown
New build Belgian house Source here
Beguinage Aarschot Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage of Diest
Beguinage Diest Source : http://www.panoramio.com
New build Belgian house Source : here
Beguinage Diest Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage Diest Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage of Leuven
Beguinage Leuven Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source : Vlassak Verhulst Villas
New build Belgian house Source : Timeless Living
Beguinage Leuven Source : Wikipedia
Beguinage Leuven Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source : Thierry Lejeune
Beguinage Leuven Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source Rik Storms
Beguinage Leuven Source : Wikipedia
New build Belgian house Source : De Landheer
Do you love the Belgian ‘Begijnhof’ style? I would love to hear your thoughts about it!
xx
Greet
Oh what a beautiful learning experience you have provided. I loved every single minute of reading and am going to go back and go through it again this evening. Thank you for teaching something with such beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteHello, Greet -
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely beautiful, informative and educational post! I love this: a bit of history and lots of wonderful architecture. Thank you for introducing us to the Belgian Begijnhof style. Maybe we will even see some of those amazing buildings on our next visit as we drive from Brussels to Gent to Brugge.
Cheers,
Loi
Yes, Greet, I love the style. Never knew anything about this history, but so interesting. Will have to reread and definitely to visit. The Begijinhof style is so reflected in today's Belgian style (which I love). Yours is a posting to be filed away. Thanks for being so instructive and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteb
Hello Greet,
ReplyDeleteSo so interesting post !!! I love every image, every corner...and wishig to travel to and to enjoy this wonderful architecture.
Thank you
Hugs
Cecilia
I loved the Beguinage in Bruges from the moment I first laid eyes on it (despite a creepy wax crucifix!), interiors and exteriors, and read everything I could about the Beguines. Unfortunately that only made me sad and cross that they were suppressed! Next time I come to Belgium I'll be delighted to visit the other begijnhofs you have shown me, thank you!
ReplyDeletePrachtig Greet.....we hebber er al verschillende gezien...Gent....Brugge....Antwerpen....allemaal even mooi....het heeft iets!!!!
ReplyDeleteErg leuke post waar ik van geniet.
Met lieve groetjes,
Silvia
Prachtige beelden Greet, en of ik er van houd. Ik zou willen dat ik hier dagelijks rond zou kunnen dwalen. Helaas is deze stijl (waar ik woon) ver te zoeken. Vorig jaar hebben we het Begijnhof in Brugge bezocht, we zijn een stukje geschiedenis rijker en hebben er enorm genoten. En nu mag ik van deze mooie post genieten, dankjewel daarvoor!
ReplyDeleteFijne avond nog,
Lieve groet, Helena
Hi Greet,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the introduction; I was not familiar with the term 'Begijnhof' or history of these communities. The buildings are so beautiful it is easy to understand why the architectural style would be reproduced today.
Have a good week!
Phyllis
I LOVE THIS STYLE. In fact, many years ago, when I was trying to identify the style that I always admired but didn't know the source, I had thought it was the French style. Mind you, I LOVE THE FRENCH country lifestyle and villa and the homes in Normandy. But now that I see this, I KNOW that these are the styles of homes that I fell in love with reading fairy tales! LOVELY COLLECTION MY DEAR GREET!!! Anita
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!!!! It almost feels like a fairy tale land, just perfect! Loved seeing a bit of where you grew up!! Take care!! xo Leslie
ReplyDeleteSpent several days in Belgium ca. 1976. Dad was working with the European partners of the Space Shuttle payload avionics system.
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how I would have loved to tour these.
Cannot imagine the impact these women had.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Hi Greet, thanks for the intro! What beautiful pictures, the dark framed windows on the light exterior is so pretty.....it all looks so picture perfect but steeped in history too, absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteoh greet, i am smitten with the story of the beguines and these dwellings. i want to know more. i must see them in person i think because there is so much more to learn! thank you for highlighting such architecture and history i might otherwise miss!
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smiles to you.
michele
I have to tell you I absolutely love the old Beguinage Bruges. The new build is stunning but there's something about the Beguinage being built as small dwellings rather then one big. I like the older architecture better. I had never heard of these buildings before so I'm glad you introduced them to us.
ReplyDeleteXX
Debra~
I'm so glad I'm seeing this! I plan on studying it in depth! Just wanted you to know the pictures are incredible and the history behind it sounds amazing! I will be researching it tomorrow…after this storm leaves and our power quits flickering on and off! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeletehello dear greet
ReplyDeleteyou have taken my breath away. i loved the history and the architecture, what brave and brilliant women they were.
even the current architecture, in many cases, needed a second look. their authenticity is stunning. oh how i adore your country
xo
debra
Very interesting! I learnt something new. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have been fortunate in visiting most of the Beguinages you listed. I have always loved the tranquility they exude, but above all, I love the Flemish architecture. Am pleased that the style is being so sensitively recreated in new builds. We know the Beguinages of Kortrijk well, as this is my husband's home town. Even stayed in a wonderful B&B there, unfortunately now closed. We met sister Marcella a few years back when she was still living there! Running a B&B within the walls of the Beguinages is an excellent idea, as people are exposed to the architecture and particular ambiance of each Beguinages, and they are all well placed in the centre of the cities! Great article Greet...
ReplyDeleteIk vind het schitterend. Het geeft rust. Het geeft zo'n goed gevoel. In Nederland, waar ik woon, wandel ik graag door begijnhofjes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing me to this beautify style of architecture and it's heritage. You must be proud knowing it is so beautifully preserved. The new homes are all done with great respect and reverence. A real tribute the the home owners, architects and builders. A wonderful article!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
john
Oui, j'aime ce style de maisons, chère Greet. L'esprit qui régnait dans ces communautés doit encore demeurer. La beauté de l'ensemble et la sérénité qui s'en dégage donnent envie d'y vivre.
ReplyDeleteComme je suis à la recherche d'une maison, je suis sensible à l'architecture. Celles-ci me conviendraient parfaitement si j'en avais les moyens financiers. Pour le plaisir des yeux. Merci de ce très beau post. Amitiés de Fine.
Thank you for a very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteHow I adore learning new & interesting things. Thanks xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteoh, to have gone to high school in a town that had any part look like these photos would be heavenly...so beautiful, peaceful and calm in feel. what a great history lesson you provided. i am part dutch and had no idea about this. so lovely...thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an informative article, Greet, rich in pictures and history. Glad to know I'm not the only one who had never heard of these treasures. I absolutely love the style, and want to plan a trip now to see these structures. Are the buildings currently used as residences, shops, or museums?
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, Greet, I love it. I miss it. I am from northern Europe and miss the architecture, the quaint way of life. I love seeing both the originals and the new builts.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog.
I love the introduction to this beautiful style of architecture - would love seeing these gorgeous buildings in person!
ReplyDeleteThis post is stunning, Greet. Every picture a lesson in history and architecture. I have visited Belgium several times and have had the privilege of seeing several of these locations. You helped bring back some wonderful memories. I think the introduction of the new architectural style which incorporates so much history and adheres to the heart and soul of the style is a wonderful opportunity for keeping harmony and connection to the past.
ReplyDeleteIs the architecture as charming inside as out? Having just moved into a "senior housing" high rise in Boulder, Colorado, USA, that is totally without architectural character, these seem all the more attractive.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the architecture...and had no idea that it even existed. I think it's time to start planning a return to Belgium. I was there, oh so briefly, in my twenties before I had even owned a home of my own. How our perspective changes as we age!
ReplyDeleteHope all is well in your beautiful corner of the world!
xo Elizabeth
i am in love!!!
ReplyDeletei need to see it and touch it in person....
well...
another place on my list to visit.
xox gorgeous post!
I am smitten with Belgium...I think I could live there..
ReplyDeleteThank you for the history lesson. Charming buildings and I love the women power behind them.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, thank you for this interesting and thorough post with beautiful architecture!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! The ancient ones are simply gorgeous! What a fascinating story of the orders, too. I had never heard of them or their dwellings before. Some of the new builds are lovely too and will be even more so with time. Thank you for a great post!
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ReplyDelete