The Beguines were not nuns and were free to leave the community and marry at any time.
The last Beguine living in the courtyard passed away in 1971, marking the end of the order's presence.
The English Reformed Church features a memorial window depicting the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers, who lived in Amsterdam before departing for America.
The courtyard contains a sunken stone that reportedly marks the grave of Cornelia Arens, who requested to be buried in the gutter rather than inside the church.
The wooden house at number 34 was restored in the 1950s using dendrochronological dating to confirm its construction around 1420.
During the Alteration of 1578, the Beguines were allowed to stay on the condition that they gave up their Catholic practices, leading to the use of 'hidden' clandestine churches.
The current gatehouse entrance dates to 1574, though the ornate facade was added in the 17th century.
Begijnhof is a secluded 14th-century courtyard originally established as a sanctuary for the Beguines, a group of lay religious women who lived in community without taking formal monastic vows. It remains one of the oldest inner courts in Amsterdam, situated significantly below the city's modern street level. The site houses the English Reformed Church, which dates back to the early 15th century and contains some of the city's oldest interior woodwork. The wooden house at number 34 is one of only two remaining medieval timber-framed houses in Amsterdam. The courtyard includes a secret Catholic chapel, established after the Protestant Reformation prohibited public Catholic worship. The site functions as a residential area, requiring visitors to respect the privacy of the current inhabitants. The central garden is maintained with historical preservation in mind. Access is gained through a 17th-century gatehouse entrance on the Spuiplein. The community remains a rare example of medieval urban domestic architecture surviving within the historic city center.
The view of the central garden looking toward the 15th-century wooden house at number 34.
Keep voices to a whisper, as the courtyard is a private residential area.
Look for the small plaque near the entrance that explains the history of the Beguines.
Ensure you visit the clandestine chapel inside the courtyard, which is often overlooked by casual passersby.
Do not wander into the private residential doorways; stick to the central paved paths.
The courtyard gates are closed promptly in the late afternoon/early evening; the English Reformed Church may have restricted access during services.
Quiet behavior is mandatory; photographing residents' windows or private doorways is strictly prohibited.
