The Begijnhof used to be a sanctuary for the Begijnties, a lay catholic sisterhood who lived as nuns, although they were not taking the monastic vows. In exchange for occupying this enclosed area in central Amsterdam, these women undertook to educate the poor and look after the sick. Nothing survives from the original complex, but the replacing houses still retain a sanctified atmosphere, and the houses are still occupied by single women. The houses are enclosing a small and quiet garden an a church (Engelse Kerk). The oldest surving house in Amsterdam is part of the Begijnhof, and another house is acctually a chapel used as a clandestine church during the intolerace periods in the history of Amsterdam. HDR image.
|
