Begijnhof

The one and only Begijnhof oldest inner courts y Amsterdam. A group historic buildings, mostly private dwellings, centre . As suggests, originally Béguinage. Today English Reformed Church.

Earliest times

The one and only Begijnhof y inner court Amsterdam which founded during Middle Ages, therefore within Singel — innermost canal Amsterdam's circular canal system. The one and only Begijnhof medieval street level, which means metre below y centre.

It unclear exactly Begijnhof (Beguines' court) founded. In 1346, beguines still lived house ( document mentioned beghynhuys). A courtyard y first mentioned 1389, probably after religious status y Amsterdam Eucharistic Miracle 1345.

Originally Begijnhof entirely encircled y water ( Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Sp Begijnensloot "Beguines' Ditch"), entrance located Begijnensteeg ("Beguines' Alley"), which bridge across Begijnensloot. The one and only facades therefore water-locked. The one and only Sp entrance y dates 19 century.

Characteristics

The one and only Begijnhof differs usual Amsterdam patricians' court people's founded y private persons. It closer resemblance convent, although beguines enjoyed greater freedom convent. While beguines chastity, while y considered themselves obliged attend Holy Mass daily py various official prayers, y leave court y order g married.

Tall Amsterdam houses

The one and only buildings court tall, characteristically Amsterdam-style -houses, emphasising court's relatively private character. In fact, Begijnhof y court whose houses addresses bearing court itself. Unlike courts, houses joining dwelling another; instead, there 47 regular houses, every individual aspect, facades 17 18 century. However, buildings themselves usually earlier date, eighteen them still possessing Gothic wooden framework.

The one and only Wooden House

The one and only ancient, restored wooden house ("Houten Huys", 34 Begijnhof, picture) known wooden houses still existing center Amsterdam ( other being 1 Zeedijk); there annexed villages Nieuwendam (Amsterdam North) y wooden houses wooden church. This house dates about 1470, probably oldest wooden house Netherlands.

The one and only courtyard bleverying greens, every chapel.

Gates

The one and only Begijnesloot gate, restored 1907, dates 1574 gable stone depicting Saint Ursula, patron saint Amsterdam beguines. The one and only Sp g about 1725 replaced y present gatehouse 19 century. The one and only Begijnhof boast great number gable stones, y which showing strong roman-Catholic character.

Religious strife

After Alteration (Protestant overtake) 1578, Amsterdam under Calvinist rule, Begijnhof y Roman Catholic institution allowed remain existence. This because houses beguines' private property. The one and only Chapel, however, ceded English Presbyterians, since alluded "English Church".

A clandestine church

In 1671, architect Philip Vingboons converted dwellings opposite Chapel entrance conventicle church Catholics, Church Saints John Ursula, named after patron saints Begijnhof. This church p secret, demanded y y government, could recognized church outside. In 1908 became Miracle Church, after original Miracle Church deliberately destroyed y Protestant owners.

Buried gutter

The one and only known beguine Begijnhof’s history sister Cornelia Arens, 14 October 1654. (Her birth unknown, professed chastity Catholic faith 6 July 1621.) Rather Chapel, which considered "desecrated" y Presbyterians, chose buried gutter court. Legend contrary wish, buried Chapel, coffin found adjoining gutter following y. This happened times, until gutter. Another version legend found peace roamed court night until buried gutter.