Beguinage in Kortrijk

Begijnhof (Kortrijk)
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The Begijnhof in Kortrijk was founded in 1238 by Johanna of Constantinople. This well-preserved medieval city part is a combination of a square beguinage and a street beguinage. Since December 2, 1998, the Kortrijk beguinage has been part of the cultural and natural world heritage of UNESCO as part of the group inscription of Flemish beguinages.

History
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The beguinage of Kortrijk was surrounded by the count's castle, the city walls, and the St. Martin's cemetery and is located close to the Church of Our Lady and St. Martin's Church. The Kortrijk beguinage was destroyed multiple times: in 1302 during the Battle of the Golden Spurs, in 1382 after the battle at Westrozebeke, and once again by the French in 1684. The 41 baroque houses date from the 17th century. The house with the double gable (1649) belonged to the prioress. Until the summer of 2008, the Beguinage Museum was housed in this building. In 2012, a new museum will be established in the restored St. Anne's Hall by then. An authentic viewing house will also be set up in residence No. 41 next to the main entrance of the courtyard. The remarkable stair tower is the corner tower of the former St. Anne's Hall from 1682. The original Gothic chapel was built in 1464 but was remodeled in the 18th century. The last beguine (also the last living beguine in Belgium), Marcella, is still alive but currently resides in a nursing home.

Access
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The Begijnhof is always accessible from 7 AM to 9 PM.

The Matthew Chapel with museum layout and the Visitor Center are accessible on weekdays from 1 PM to 5 PM, except for Monday, and on weekends from 1 PM to 6 PM.

(source: wikipedia)

CMachiels