Begijnhof – Beguine Courtyard, Amsterdam
The Beguine Courtyard of the Begijnhof Chapel, one of Amsterdam's most ancient hidden courtyards, holds the distinction of being the sole inner court in the city founded during the Middle Ages and situated within the Singel—the innermost canal of Amsterdam's circular canal system. Adorned with manicured gardens, this courtyard sits at medieval street level, which places it a meter lower than the rest of the old city center. As the name suggests, it originally belonged to a community of Beguines—laywomen leading a semi-monastic life dedicated to prayer and charitable endeavors.
A cluster of historical edifices, predominantly private residences, surrounds the courtyard. These are tall townhouses, characterized by the distinctive Amsterdam architectural style, accentuating the court's relatively secluded ambiance. Unlike most courtyards, the buildings here are not arranged in rows connecting one dwelling to another; instead, there are 47 traditional townhouses, many adorned with facades dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the structures themselves often have origins predating this period, with eighteen of them retaining their original Gothic wooden framework.
During medieval times, the courtyard was entirely encircled by canals, offering only one entrance accessible via a bridge. Today, remnants of this entrance, known as the Begijnesloot, are still visible, thanks to a restoration effort in 1907. The stone doorway prominently displays the figure of Saint Ursula, the patron saint of Amsterdam's Beguines. Meanwhile, the entrance on Spuistraat, which was constructed at a later date, underwent significant changes in the 19th century.
A cluster of historical edifices, predominantly private residences, surrounds the courtyard. These are tall townhouses, characterized by the distinctive Amsterdam architectural style, accentuating the court's relatively secluded ambiance. Unlike most courtyards, the buildings here are not arranged in rows connecting one dwelling to another; instead, there are 47 traditional townhouses, many adorned with facades dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the structures themselves often have origins predating this period, with eighteen of them retaining their original Gothic wooden framework.
During medieval times, the courtyard was entirely encircled by canals, offering only one entrance accessible via a bridge. Today, remnants of this entrance, known as the Begijnesloot, are still visible, thanks to a restoration effort in 1907. The stone doorway prominently displays the figure of Saint Ursula, the patron saint of Amsterdam's Beguines. Meanwhile, the entrance on Spuistraat, which was constructed at a later date, underwent significant changes in the 19th century.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Amsterdam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Begijnhof – Beguine Courtyard on Map
Sight Name: Begijnhof – Beguine Courtyard
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Amsterdam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Amsterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Western Canal Belt Walking Tour
Western Canal Belt is a historic neighborhood in Amsterdam that forms part of the larger Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises a web of concentric canals. The three main canals making up the Western Belt are Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. They are lined with beautiful and somewhat bizarre gabled houses that were built by prosperous merchants in the 17th century,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, some say, “dances to its own beat.” Indeed, Amsterdam – where “hipness meets history” – has a rather unusual life rhythm and style, famously manifested in the air of legalized cannabis, coffee shops, and the Red Light District. In large part, this “air of freedom” attracts annually to the city over five million visitors.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
As a small fishing village,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
The Jodenbuurt (Jewish Quarter) of Amsterdam had been the center of the Dutch Jewish community from the 16th century up until the Second World War. The neighborhood is best known as the birthplace of Baruch Spinoza, the home of Rembrandt, and the Jewish ghetto under the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
Once crowded with open-air stalls, smoking factories and tenement buildings, the Old... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Once crowded with open-air stalls, smoking factories and tenement buildings, the Old... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Southern Canal Belt Walking Tour
The Canal District, known as Grachtengordel in Dutch, is a globally renowned example of urban planning and architectural excellence within Amsterdam. This area has remained remarkably well-preserved for over four centuries, celebrated for its charming small bridges, canal crossings, and 17th-century residences. Encircling the Old City Centre in a horseshoe shape, the Canal Ring encompasses three... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Jordaan Walking Tour
The Jordaan district of Amsterdam is a popular neighborhood renowned for its charming, narrow streets, quaint courtyards, and picturesque canals. Replete with beautiful historic houses, many of which have been converted into cozy cafés, trendy boutiques, and art galleries, this district has a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other areas in the city.
The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Red Light District Walking Tour
Amsterdam's Rosse Buurt (Red Light District) has been the subject of much fascination for centuries. The medieval part of it, also the largest, known as De Wallen (or De Walletjes), is particularly famous for its fantastic juxtaposition of age-old architecture, leaning canal houses, narrow alleys lined with old-school bars, quaint shops and late-night pursuits. Of course, the main draw here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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