Beguinage Breda - Breda

Beguines were single women who lived in a community within the Roman Catholic Church without taking a vow of perpetual chastity. Unlike nuns, they were allowed to earn their own living. They did this by running a nursery school, caring for the sick, doing handicrafts and praying for the dead in exchange for payment.

The Begijnhof in Breda was founded in 1267 and was initially located closer to Breda Castle. When Count Henry III of Nassau wanted to expand his garden, the courtyard was moved to its current location in 1534. In the 18th century, an extra floor was added to the original low houses, which is still visible today on the facades.

Next to the entrance to the courtyard stands the Wendelinus Chapel. This chapel originally served as a church for the Beguines. In 1590, after the conquest of Breda by Prince Maurice, they had to surrender the chapel to the Walloon community. Thanks to the protection of the Nassaus, the Beguinage was able to continue to exist as a community.

In the nineteenth century, when the Catholic religion was once again allowed to be practised openly, the Begijnhof flourished once more. A new church and rectory were built, the gatehouse was renovated and a second courtyard was created. The small building to the left of the church, which used to serve as a toilet block, still stands on the site. The current gatehouse dates from 1980.

Although there are no longer any Beguines living there, the Begijnhof is still inhabited by single women. The last Beguine, Sister Frijters, died in 1990. The former novitiate now houses a new religious community: the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará, also known as the Blue Sisters, after the colour of their habits.

Old traditions are still honoured here. Opposite the presbytery, for example, there is a witch's ball, a mirrored sphere which, according to popular belief, offers protection against illness, disaster and evil spirits. This ball is displayed every year between the Ice Saints and All Souls' Day.

The herb garden in the Beguinage is a reminder of the knowledge of medicinal herbs that the Beguines used to use to care for the sick. Many of these herbs are still grown today.

The gatehouse houses the Miniature and Doll's House Museum. There is also the Beguinage Museum, housed in one of the original houses. Here you can get a glimpse of the daily life of the Beguines.

Photo: ©Brabant Partners