Beguines

In only a few countries in the world streetnames can be found in which the name 'beguines', 'begijnen', or ' beginen' appear. These countries are 'The Low Countries', or the Netherlands with the neighbouring cultural areas of the Northern and Southern Netherlands, the Rhineland and Henegouwen including the North of France. These streetnames testify that Beguines formed a very important presence in the towns and villages of the forenamed countries. But who were they?

This website aims to keep their 'past presence' alive and to focus on their free manner of womanhood. Also this website wants to provide a platform to exchange ideas and promote communication. The Beguines lived a unique spirituality that could take root and effected the history of Western urope. Their influence extends as far as our times. It is a valuable heritage and a rich source of female spirituality that keeps flowing.