Begijnhof (Beguine Court), Amsterdam 
Picturesque, historic homes in the Begijnhof. Photo: Nicholas Thompson.
See many more views in our Begijnhof Photo Gallery.
Inside the Beguine Chapel, a clandestine Catholic church built in 1671.
The Engelse Kerk (English Church), built for the Beguines in 1400.
The Begijnhof is a peaceful oasis in the bustling center of Amsterdam.
The Begijnhof (Beguine Court) is an enclosed courtyard in Amsterdam dating from the early 14th century. It includes several interesting religious sites and provides an serene oasis just a block from the screeching of trams stopping next to the bustling Spui square.
The Begijnhof consists of tiny houses grouped around a well-kept courtyard. It was originally built in the 14th century as a convent for the Begijntes (Beguines), a lay Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women – of which there were many as a result of the Crusades' efficiency in killing off men – who lived a religious life without taking monastic vows.
One resident, Cornelia Arens, so loved this spot that she asked to be buried in the gutter here in 1654. She lies under the slab of red granite on the walkway on the left side of De Engelse Kerk. The last true Beguine to live here died in the 1970s.
No. 34 is the oldest house in Amsterdam, dating from 1465. It is one of only two remaining wooden houses in the city center. After a series of disastrous fires, laws were passed in the 15th century forbidding the construction of buildings made entirely of timber.
On the building's left side there are biblical plaques, which quote scripture and depict scenes from the Scriptures.
The small Engelse Kerk (English Church), across the courtyard at No. 48, dates from 1400 and was confiscated from the Beguines during the Alteration of 1578. It was a Scottish Presbyterian church that was presented to the Pilgrim Fathers during their brief stay in Amsterdam in 1607.
Finding themselves without a church, the Beguines built the clandestine Mirakel- or Begijnhof-Kapel (Miracle or Beguine Chapel), across the lane at No. 29. Built by the Catholic architect Philips Vingboons in 1671, it once contained the relics of the Miracle of Amsterdam. Its stained-glass windows are still here to tell the story.
Map
Location map and satellite view of the Begijnhof in Amsterdam. Using the slider on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Amsterdam from space on our Amsterdam Map or on Google Earth.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Behind the Spui shopping street, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Hours: | Mirakel- or Begijnhof-Kapel Mon. 1-6:30, Tues.-Fri. 9-6:30, weekends 9-6. |
| Cost: | Free |
Sources
- Personal visit (November 2006)
- Lonely Planet Amsterdam, 4th edition
- Fodor's Amsterdam, 1st edition
