The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde, Bruges

Enjoy the tranquillity of The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde, a religious community seemingly frozen in time. This particular beguinage was founded in 1245 and housed the beguines of Bruges up until 1937. Today, the community is a monastery for Benedictine nuns. At a time when official religious institutions distrusted the new religious orders coming into being, a beguine was a safe community where female followers lived together, much like nuns but without the strict vows. Take a quiet stroll through the streets past rows of identical white homes. Wander to the southern end, where some of the houses date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. In the left corner behind the garden, you'll find the largest house, which would have housed the grand dame. For travelers who use our world travel planner, Bruges holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.