Young girl and daffodils at the beguinage

The beguinage "Ten Wijngaerde" are with 12 other Flemish beguinages protected by Unesco .
The Flemish beguinages are a unique testimony to the medieval mystical movement which produced them. Beguines were "religious women",widows or spinsters,who wished to live an independent but commited life outside the recognised orders with there vows of fidelity and poverty . They organised themselves in self-supported "cities of peace" revealing  architectural and urban qualities .
To this day, the Bruges beguinage, with its central courtyard lined with trees and side streets ,retains a religious and social function.
The brick architecture ,the harmonious environement and rather closed nature of this beguinage all contribute to the charm for which it is famed world wide .