ESENKASTEELHOEVE

Beguinage

The Flemish beguinages bear witness of the medieval mystic movement in our region. Beguines were chaste, independent women who led communal lives from the 13th century. In the proximity of the Stadsvaart and the Broekenlaat, they made a living doing washing, bleaching and processing wool, cloth and linen, breeding animals and even brewing beer. After the First World War, the beguinage was rebuilt. However, the beguines did not return and the beguinage was given a social function.