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One of the oldest 'Begijnhofjes' in the Netherlands.
The Beguinage is an oasis of quiet right in the heart of a bustling Breda.
In 1267 the beguines acquired a little patch of land on Valkenberg, these days the park, from the Lord of Breda, is open for public.
Beguines are unmarried women who lived together within a safe secluded space. Their way of living originated from the need to withdraw from the outside world and devote themselves to God. As well as make a difference to the world. The name "Beguine"is derived from the Beige-coloured clothes they wore. They had their own church in 1836, situated at the back of the Beguinage.
The beguinage garden was turned into an herb garden with hundreds of different kinds of herbs. To give the visitors an impression of who the original occupants were, a life size beguine statue was revealed in 1970, a bronze reminder of the countless women who lived here through the ages.
A group of women who lived together and as long as they were beguines, took simple vows of chastity and obedience to their superiors but could at all times withdraw freely.
Until now the Beguinage may only be lived by women alone, this special character of the Beguinage is only kept in the Beguinage of Breda.
Updated Oct 30, 2006
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In the period of the reformation in Breda the beguines lost there church but were allowed to stay in Breda and this is the place where they did.
There is also a new church build just on the right as you enter the beguinage.
There is also a museum located here.
Updated Sep 30, 2005
Address: Catharinastraat 29
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The Beguinage is the quite place where unmarried women lived together within a safe isolated space. Their way of living originates from the need to withdraw from the outside world and devote themselves to God. The name "Beguine" derives form the beige colored clothes they wore. Please keep quite while visiting the place, 'cause people still live there.
Updated Feb 28, 2005
Address: Catharinastraat 29
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The beguinage is a court-yard, accessed through a gate, with small houses around it which were once populated by usually rich women who wished to live a religious life without having to become a nun, thus being allowed to leave and get married when the opportunity came. This is the only catholic institution in Breda that survived the religious oppression in the 17th century, although its chapel was confiscated by the protestants and became the Walloon church.
In the 19th century a new church was built, which only has room for 69 people and must be one of the smallest in the country.
The beguinage is open for visitors. Remember that people live here, so act civilized. Don't stare through the windows, things like that. The church is occassionally open for those who want to pray. If the church is closed you may still find the door open; in that case you can see the interior through a glass wall. It should be worth a look.
Updated Apr 6, 2004
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This was a very Cool looking Silver shining Ball and it worked great as a mirror .
I don't know the reason why it was there but it sure was fun taking pictures looking into the Ball mirror.
A very relaxing place to visit for all ages
Written Nov 28, 2003
Address: Catharinastraat 29
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This picture is from inside the Beguinage or Begijnhof it is very beautiful inside ,flowers every where just a nice place .This is the place where the rich religeous women would stay and life a simple life untill they got married .
They were devoted to God and their religion.
Updated Nov 28, 2003
Address: Catharinastraat 29
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you can visite one house of the Begijnhof.
entrance €1.
if you take pictures no flash.
the house is very small and if you want to see the "movie" of 14 minutes there are only four seats.
i found it intresting.
open tuesday - sunday (monday closed)
12.00-17.00.
november - april only open on sundays and holidays
Updated Nov 10, 2003
Address: Catharinastraat 29, 4811 XE Breda
Phone: +31 (0)76-5222609
Website: www.breda-museum.nl
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2 BRONZE ONES and this duo is in the garden of the BEGUINAGE.
This gives us an idea of how life must have been for these women: sharing the little daily trivialities......that won't have been much exciting news, although it must have been a real "GRAPEVINE".......women love talking and sharing whatever they hear......
Written Oct 19, 2003
Address: Catharinastraat BREDA
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This is (part of) the BEGUINAGE.
Let me explain a bit about BEGUINES first.
They are not nuns (I have to say "are" because here in Breda there are still some beguines living in this beguinage!) but devout virgins and widows, living together in a close-knit society.
They only had to take 2 vows (nuns more!): that of obedience and chastity and....they were not taken for live......
Here in Breda the BEGUINAGE is in the Catharinastraat and it still has some beguines who live there and a WATERSTAATKERKJE dating from the 19th Century.
This Beguinage can be found in the oldest part of Breda...
The Beguinage was founded in 1240 and such places were safe places for single women who preferred living a simple life.
Written Oct 19, 2003
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Next to the Walloon church, there's a gate to the beguinage. The first thing, you'll see is a lovely little church and a nice garden surrounded by little houses. It's a lovely place. An oasis of calm...right in the heart of the city.
The beguinage was the only catholic institution that survived in Breda after the Reformation, thanks to its protection by the princes of Orange.
After the Beguines had lost their chapel (the Walloon church) to the protestants, they got a new church in 1837. It's the small building in neo-classical style in the back of the garden.
See some more pics in my travelogue.
Updated Oct 18, 2003
Address: Catharinastraat 29
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