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academic site
II. History, life, spirituality
III. Beatrice of Nazareth
Beguinage "Ter Weyngaerde" in Bruges
The
beguinage in Bruges (circled in red) is called (in the old spelling) "Ter Weyngaerde". The
"princely beguinage of the Vineyard" was founded in 1230 by the
Countess Johanna of Constantinople. It is called "princely" because in
1299 Philip the Fair withdrew it from the jurisdiction of Bruges and made it
subject to the jurisdiction of the Prince. Just around the corner is the
"Minnewater", of "lake of love" (circled in
blue). The map can be found at: http://www.visit-bruges.com/tourist1.htm
,where your can also enter a virtual guided tour of Bruges. The beguinage is
mentioned
on "page 7". (Source above photograph: Michel Fisher, in Weyergans, p.
41)
The present small houses in the inner court are between 300 and 400 years old. A small chapel dates from the 15th century. The St. Elisabeth Church was built in 1245 but had to be rebuild in 1605 after a fire. It is in this church that we find the statue featured on the previous page.
The last beguine lived here in 1926. Since 1937 the beguinage is a monastery with Benedictine sisters. (Van Mechelen, pp.24)
Another picture of the entrance (source: http://www.freefoto.com/pictures/belgium/bruges/index.asp?i=12)
One
of the little houses, built in the seventeenth century (picture below) has been
transformed into a museum. (Source:
http://www.trabel.com/brugge/bruges-beguinage.htm)
Head
of Christ at the beguinage in Bruges (photograph Michel Fischer, in Weyergans,
p.43)