Whitewashed houses and central grass square of Bruges Begijnhof

 Bruges Begijnhof (Beguinage) : tranquil haven near city old town and major heriotage place dedicated to history, architecture and spiritual life

(Browse the collection : Bruges cityscape time lapse and video stock footage)

The ‘Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde’ with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life.

(Visit Bruges)

Beguinages were enclosed courts where widows and unmarried women led a religiously inspired but independent life. They took a vow of purity and obedience, but unlike nuns in a monastery, these were often only temporary and they did not take the vow of poverty. The beguines could leave the beguinage whenever they wanted and they provided for their own livelihood by weaving, making lace or embroidering. A beguinage was actually a little village within a town with its own bakery, brewery (hey, it’s Belgium!), nursing home, church and bleach meadows. Most beguinages in Belgium were formed during the time of the crusades, when men often did not return from their journey.

(World Wanderista)

White buildings with brown tiled roofs line a central square. Each building, touching each other, is almost identical. Two rows of peaceful windows with a welcoming green door in the middle and a triangular peak at the top.

(Time Travel Turtle)