Green spaces are essential places for any city, and Amsterdam is no exception. In it we can find a large number of parks and recreation areas, but none is as famous as the Begijnhof. Do you want to know it? With us you will find out!
Before Dam Square existed or Amsterdam was even known by that name, the Begijnhof courtyard was already in the most central area of the city.
This was founded in the middle of the 10th century, when the metropolis was nothing more than a small fishing village. In the houses near the Beginjhof courtyard, lived a group of nuns, dedicated to serving the most disadvantaged, helping the local diocese and serving in the small neighborhood chapel.
These nuns, known as Beguines, were not nuns nor did they belong to any formal order. However, his mark on the history of Amsterdam is still present in the Beginjhof.
Today, this peaceful garden has become a tourist attraction, but only a small part of it is available for visitor tours, as, as in its beginnings, it continues to be a private courtyard for nearby residences.
However, this beautiful oasis of tranquility in the middle of a city as busy as Amsterdam still has a lot to offer, so you can write it down on your itinerary as a must-see.
Stopping for a bit of rest in a place as peaceful as the Begijnhof courtyard seems like a good plan for any visitor spending a few days in Amsterdam.
Despite this, relaxing and clearing your mind is not the only thing you can do in the garden. In it we can also find some of the most important medieval remains in the entire city.
One of them is the Houten Huis house, this is one of the last two wooden residences still standing in Amsterdam. Built sometime in the 14th century, the Houten Huis dates from a time when wooden buildings were still allowed, and the main building element was not bricks.
Similarly, in Begijnhof we find two chapels, one is easily recognizable, and it bears the name of Englese Kerk. While the other is much more discreet, and with reasons, since it is a small Catholic church.
This temple, which belonged to the Beguines, Christian community that was kept underground for centuries, due to the prohibition of Catholicism that prevailed in the Netherlands. Today, it is a symbol of the now-defunct Beguine sisters and of Amsterdam’s Catholic history.
Before embarking on your way to this idyllic garden, you should know that, as it is located in a residential area, you must maintain proper behavior and not exceed the limits of the buildings that are around.
In the same way, and with the intention of protecting the privacy and safety of the neighbors, do not take photographs of the windows or the entrance doors of the houses, unless you have the permission of the residents.
If you comply with these simple measures, you can fully enjoy your visit to the unique Begijnhof garden.
In addition to this idyllic corner, Amsterdam offers you many other interesting places to visit, such as the Royal Palace, the Vondelpark, the Flower Market or the Central Station and such outstanding museums as the Rijksmuseum or NEMO.
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