The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. Here is the hidden courtyard in this compact city.
No one can find this secret place without searching the attraction points before going to Amsterdam. It is difficult to find the gate. Think about it, we found the gate with address that we had before the trip. Firstly we found the street and followed the numbers and we couldn't believe it. We thought that it wasn't the entrance of the Begijnhof. We looked inside from a door ajar. At the beginning, we thought that this place was privately owned, but then we opened the door and moved in. The view of the courtyard was wonderful.
There is also an "English church" which dates from the 15 century in this courtyard and possesses its original medieval tower. The Begijnhof was the only Roman Catholic institution to be allowed to remain in existence. This was because the houses were the beguines' private property. The Chapel, however, had to be ceded to the English Presbyterians, and since that time is alluded to as the "English Church".
The Begijnhof was originally built as a sactuary for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood who lived like nuns, although they took no monastic vows. The beautiful houses overlook its well-kept green garden, include the Amsterdam's oldest surviving house Het Houten Huis dating from around 1420. Houses in Begijnhof are still occupied by single women, so it was so quiet and mysthic.
The address of Begijnhof: Nieuwezijds Voorburguval 371. Amsterdam
