Beguinages & Belfries

Composer Cole Porter may have popularized the beguine (a vigorous dance of Martinique and St. Lucia) in the splendor of the tropics, but here the word refers to a single woman who resided independently of her family in a peaceful, secular garden complex called a begijnhof (in Flemish) or beguinage. Beguinages date from the 13th century, but today, those who live in the dozen or so beguinages found in the region are most often widows and orphaned daughters. Some have also become homes for low-income families. Beguinages were founded during the Crusades by a priest named Lambert le Begue and were found throughout Europe until the Reformation. The best beguinages are in Flanders, including in Gent and Brugge—and, increasingly, many are occupied by female artisans rather than beguines.

Flanders also has numerous belfries, many of which are centrally located civic towers with carillons. The imposing towers once functioned as brick storehouses where medieval merchants protected their goods and kept their records. They were also used as lookout towers to watch for enemy attacks. In current times, citizens still use them as meeting places, and many are landmark tourist sites. Brugge, Gent, Ieper, and many smaller villages have outstanding old belfries, usually on large squares.