- Address: Begijnhof 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Phone: +32 50 33 00 11
- Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10.00 - 17.00, Sunday - 14.30 - 17.00
- Entrance fee: adult - 2 euro, students and pensioners - 1.5 euro, children - 1 euro
Beguinage Ten-Weingarde - the abode of widowed women, which survived to this day, led a pious lifestyle (reminiscent of a monastic life), but they did not take vows, did not vow celibacy, did not sacrifice property in favor of the church. The attraction is located in the small town of Bruges .
A bit of history
The Begun movement originated in Europe in the 12th century and was of a religious nature. Women who lost their husbands during the Crusades, united in communities, led a joint farm and raised children. They lived in a separate area, surrounded by high walls and a moat full of water. The entire settlement was located in a large courtyard with a church and consisted of small houses in which the cells were built.
Ten-Weingarde was founded in Bruges in 1245 by the Countess Margaret II. Half a century later, the Beguinage found itself under the authority of the French King Philip IV and became known as the "Royal Beginning." Today, the breezy Ten-Weingarde is a complex consisting of 30 white houses erected from the 16th to the 18th century. Also on its territory there is a church of St. Elizabeth (patroness of beguins) and a museum located in the abbess' house.
Beguinage today
The way to the settlement lies through a defensive moat with water. To get inside the complex, you need to pass along the bridge built in this place. Having overcome the obstacle, you will find yourself at the central gate of Ten-Weingarde, made of white stone, which appeared here in 1776. Once inside the yard, you will see a statue of St. Elizabeth, who according to tradition kept witches from misfortunes. On one of the houses of the beguage there is an inscription "Sauve Garde", meaning that every person who has got into trouble when he comes here will get protection and shelter.
Nowadays, the Begins do not live in Ten-Weingard, the last of them died in 1926, and the centuries-old history of the Beguinage settlements ended in 2013, when the world's last runaway, Marcella Pattin, died. Despite this, the history of the Ten-Weingarde continues, since 1927 it has been inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict, widows, orphans, people in need. Since 1998 Beginjazh Ten-Weingarde is under the protection of UNESCO.
Helpful information
Getting to the sights is simple enough. You can use public transport . The Brugge Begijnhof stop is 100 meters from the desired location. The train station is about a kilometer away from Ten-Weingarde. If you want, you can order a taxi.
Visit the landmark can be throughout the year, on any of the days of the week. Ten Weingarde welcomes guests from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours, on Sundays from 14:30 to 17:00 hours. The central gate is locked at 18:30 hours. Paid entrance. The ticket price for an adult person is 2 euros, for students and pensioners - 1.5 euros, for children - 1 euro.
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