Look for the grave of Cornelia Arents, the most famous beguine, at the edge of the chapel’s bleaching fields. She refused to be buried in what had become a Protestant place of worship, asking instead to be interred in the gutter.
Begijnhof was once a beguinage. This was a type of semi-monastic religious community for women known as beguines, a lay order who sought to serve God without retiring completely from the world. While they took a vow of chastity and attended Mass daily, they were free at any time to leave and get married. The last beguine here died in 1971 at the age of 84.
The group of houses that the beguines lived in were privately owned, which helped them survive the 1587 Alteration - although their chapel was closed, they were the only Roman Catholic institution allowed to remain in existence. The square that they surround was established in the Middle Ages, making it one of Amsterdam’s oldest courts.
The buildings are quite a sight: overlooking the well-kept green are 47 distinct façades, mostly built in the 17th and 18th centuries around older wooden frameworks, some of which date back to the Gothic era. Typical patrician courts in Amsterdam have dwellings adjoining one another in rows; the separate, tall townhouses here are all strikingly individual.
The most famous house here is the Houten Huys or Wooden House. It is one of only two wooden houses remaining in Amsterdam’s centre, and is the city’s oldest, dating to 1420 - timber houses were banned in 1521 after a series of terrible fires. The late 14th century Engelse Kerk (English Church) overlooks the southern end of the square, and the clandestine Begijnhof Chapel remains at Numbers 29 and 30, contributing to the sacred atmosphere of the court that persists to this day.
Explore the major sights and hidden gems of Amsterdam on this immersive full-day tour of the Dutch capital. With an expert guide, discover Amsterdam's vibrant culture, architectural beauty and eccentricity, intricate canal network, kilometres of cycle tracks, the city's top two museums, its major monuments and lively markets. End your day with a fabulous cruise along the canals.
On your private full-day tour, you will:
Spend the morning exploring Amsterdam's top two museums: the Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the life and works of Vincent, and the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, as impressive for its architecture as for its amazing collections of historic artefacts and paintings by the Masters of the Dutch Golden Age like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Dyck.
Hop on a tram to explore the beautiful, bohemian Jordaan District and stop for lunch in the area (price not included) which was once traditionally a rather poor neighbourhood, attracting amazing artists and poets, including Rembrandt and the famous 17th-century Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel.
After lunch, enjoy an in-depth orientation tour of the city centre. See the highlights of Amsterdam including the Torensluis Bridge, Westerker, and the Anne Frank House. Visit the world-famous floating Flower Market, which has floated on Amsterdam’s innermost canal since 1862.
See Dam Square, which came by its name the same way Amsterdam did: it began life as a dam of the Amstel River nearly 750 years ago. As the city grew so did the dam, until it became large enough for a town square, and it has been at Amsterdam’s heart ever since! It is also home to a royal palace.
At the end of the tour your guide will walk you to the dock to join your Public Canal Cruise, to do one of the most iconic things in Amsterdam: see the city by water. Your cruise will take you through the warren of the city's canals, now listed as a World Heritage site. A perfect way to end the day!
Get a taste of Amsterdam's culture, beauty, and history by discovering its markets and masterpieces on this full-day walking tour including the world-famous Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh, the impressive Rijksmuseum, and the Flower Market, the only floating market in the world.
On this private tour, you will:
Begin your tour exploring the must-see Van Gogh Museum, with the most comprehensive collection of his works in the world, followed by a visit to the beautiful Rijksmuseum, which holds over one million objects chronicling Dutch history from 1200 to the present day.
Head to the nearby popular shopping district of Nieuw Spiegelstraat- a centre for beautiful Dutch antiques and pottery as well as for thoroughly modern design.
Making a short stop at the world-famous Flower Market is an absolute must, where you will grab a bite to eat at a local vendor and perhaps buy some colourful and fragrant tulips.
You will also get to discover some of the hidden gems of Amsterdam, including a visit to Spui Square where local booksellers and artists vie for your attention, as well as a visit to the enchanting courtyard of Begijnhof- a place of quiet sanctuary in the heart of Amsterdam.
Explore the picturesque Nine Streets with its myriad of independent boutiques and beautiful cafes. From here it is a short and utterly worthwhile journey to the 17th-century Westerkerk Church with its impressive 85m high tower.
From here you will pass the iconic Anne Frank’s House, where you will spend some time with your expert guide hearing about the tragic history of Amsterdam’s Jewish community during the Second World War.
You will end your tour with a stroll around the beautiful Jordaan District, traditionally a rather poor neighbourhood, attracting amazing artists and poets, including Rembrandt and the famous 17th-century Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel.
Enjoy a welcome tour of beautiful Amsterdam with an expert guide, famous for its elaborate network of canals, historic gabled houses, impressive artistic heritage from Rembrandt to Vermeer, and of course its numerous bike paths for the thousands of cyclists.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
From humble beginnings as a fishing village by the Amstel River, Amsterdam became one of the most important European capitals of the 17th Century, by which time it had grown into a lively port town, attracting wealthy merchants and artisans from all over the globe.
Today Amsterdam is characterized by centuries-old canals, painted houseboats, and streets filled with cyclists. World-class museums and galleries boast highly-prized art collections, while elegant spire-topped churches gaze down on an extraordinary number of stone bridges - more than 500 at last count.
On your tour, you will explore Dam Square, once the mouth of the Amstel River; marvel at the ornate grandeur of the cupola-topped Koninklijk Palace, one of a trio of Dutch royal residences, and enjoy a guided stroll through the highlights of Amsterdam.
Admire the stunning facade of the 800-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, an important part of Dutch identity and considered “Amsterdam’s living room”. Stroll the famous Torensluis Bridge, then pass by the house of the young Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank and hear the harrowing story of the Frank family.
Stop to admire 17th-century Westerkerk’s soaring tower and Renaissance facade - learn a bit about Calvinism and religious reform in Amsterdam during the Reformation. In Nine Street, enjoy the buzzy atmosphere of pavement cafes, florists, and boutiques then marvel at the rainbow of vivid fragrant blooms in Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market!
See where booksellers and street artists vie for attention (on Fridays) close to the leafy courtyard of Begijnhof, a haven of peace and quiet.
Your tour finishes in the Jordaan District – the foodie neighbourhood of Amsterdam, where your guide will happily recommend various dining options to you.
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