Experience center Beguinage

In the particularly fine experience centre, you will be guided surprisingly dynamically and interactively through those many centuries of history. Eventful years in which the Beguinage was destroyed many times. Three ladies of character, Marie Van den Brande (15th century), Barbara Bonte (17th century) and Clementia Hiers (19th century), all once grand dames, take you in tow and lift a tip of the veil. You will find out what their daily lives were like, see the Beguinage evolve and admire the Beguinage treasures. A surprising sculpture by Lieve Blancquaert, planted centrally, refers to the strong radical and mystical character of the beguines. And all in that glorious St Anne's Hall, built in 1682, which serves you a delightful view of the bleaching meadow and the 17th-century houses that embrace it. The essence of the Beguinage, summed up in one image. For that reason alone, this Experience Centre is worth a visit.

Above the Experience Centre you will find another multipurpose room, which can be rented for activities such as meetings, exhibitions and concerts.

Both floors together form the St Anne's Hall, which was created in 1682 to house the administration of the Beguinage. Over the centuries, the building was put to various uses, including as a military hospital after the French Revolution and as a Sunday school for the textile workers Saint-Anna.

Practical info

*Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

*Price: free (audio guide for visitor centre optional at €3 per person, guided tour can also be booked optionally

*Reservation: begijnhof@kortrijk.be

Groups welcome - additional info

*Participants: there are 25 audio guides available subject to 45-minute reservations

*Price and reservation: free visit, both the audio guides (up to 25) and a guided tour can be optionally booked via Visit Kortrijk

Accessibility

*With wheelchair/pram: please bear in mind that the streets in the beguinage are cobbled