“The Begijnhof is the only inner court in Amsterdam which was founded during the Middle Ages, and therefore lies within the Singel — the innermost canal of Amsterdam’s circular canal system. The Begijnhof is at medieval street level, which means a meter below the rest of the old city center. It is unclear when exactly the Begijnhof (Beguines‘ court) was founded. In 1346, the beguines still lived in a house (a document of that time mentioned one beghynhuys). A courtyard was only first mentioned in 1389, probably after the religious status of the city rose due to the Amsterdam Eucharistic Miracle of 1345.” (Wikipedia)
This little street is off of a majorly crowded and crazy shopping street. It will eventually lead you to Begijnhof. Look how lopsided it is!!
painted bike (in courtyard before Begijnhof)
one of the entrances to Begijnhof
This place feels like a secret. An oasis in the middle of crazy, bustling Amsterdam (and not the easiest place to find either!).
“The Beguines (the women who lived here) were a Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women who cared for the elderly and lived a religious life without taking monastic vows. The last true Beguines died in the 1970s.” (Lonely Planet) A community of single women still live here.
so peaceful
This is one of the two old wooden houses still existing in the center of Amsterdam.
The Pilgrim Fathers worshiped here before leaving for America.
inside the church
lilacs!
This place is so beautiful and peaceful- it’s hard to believe it’s in the middle of one of the busiest cities. It feels like it’s from a Fairy Tale.
It looks familiar for some reason! Did you take dad and I there? What a beautiful place…I look forward to many more blogs while you are on break from school! Xo mom