Beguinage of Oudenaarde

In the picturesque town of Oudenaarde in Belgium's East Flanders province lies a hidden gem that transports visitors back in time: the Beguinage of Oudenaarde, or as the locals call it, Begijnhof Oudenaarde. This enchanting enclave of tranquility, though not a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a protected monument that offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Beguines, a semi-monastic Christian community of women who lived there from the 14th century onwards.

A Stroll Through History

The Beguinage of Oudenaarde's origins date back to 1367 when the first Beguines settled in a house known as de Cluys behind the cemetery of Oudenaarde and the St. Walburga Church. By 1449, they had exchanged their properties for several houses in the area known as Borch, leading to the establishment of a small beguinage around a rectangular courtyard on the left bank of the Scheldt River. A significant construction phase in the 17th century expanded the beguinage, adding to its charm and historical significance.

However, the French Revolution brought turbulent times, and in 1796, the beguinage was dissolved. It wasn't until 1839 that the Beguines regained control, purchasing the property from the civil poorhouses administration. The site saw further expansions in the early 20th century, and in 1926, the V.Z.W. Begijnhof Oudenaarde was established, which still owns the beguinage today. The last Beguine passed away in 1960, and the site is now home to elderly women cared for by the Bernardine Sisters of Oudenaarde.

The Beguinage Church

One of the most striking features of the Beguinage of Oudenaarde is its church, partially integrated into the surrounding buildings. Built in 1516, this east-facing hall church boasts whitewashed facades under a slate gable roof, topped with a hexagonal copper bell tower. The late Gothic west facade is adorned with a rectangular gate, a round-arched niche housing a statue of Saint Joseph, and a high pointed arch window with 19th-century iron tracery.

Inside, the church features a blue-painted barrel vault and a 1977 cladding. It houses several notable artworks, including paintings of Saint Teresa of Avila and the Adoration of the Magi from 1654. The church also contains plaster statues of saints, a wooden altar piece painted to imitate marble with an inscription from 1713, and a Marian statue. The oak communion rail and four neo-Gothic stained glass windows in the choir add to the church's serene beauty. The floor of the choir is embedded with seven 18th-century tombstones, adding a touch of historical gravitas.

The Gatehouse

As you enter the beguinage, you'll pass through the gatehouse, a red-painted facade featuring a basket-handle arch gate framed in Baroque sandstone with posts and a keystone. Above the gate, a decorative aedicule with volutes, vases, and a niche housing a statue of Saint Rochus adds to the gatehouse's charm. Restored between 1969 and 1971 under architect A. Cheyns, the gatehouse's vaulted passageway with plastered brick vaults and traces of the year 1666 welcomes visitors into the serene courtyard.

The Beguinage Houses

The beguinage comprises over thirty mostly whitewashed houses on gray-painted bases, arranged around two partially paved and planted courtyards. These two- to three-bay, two-story houses with gable roofs (tiled roofs) feature rectangular or slightly arched wall openings with small windows, often with renewed wooden frames. The houses numbered 1-4, part of the southern gable wall, are among the oldest and most historically significant. House number 1, once the chaplain's or spiritual leader's house, was donated to the beguinage in 1572 and features renewed stone window frames.

Houses 5-7, built in a similar style with the same cornice height, date from the early 20th century, while houses 8-9 form a separate block of two houses with a continuous gable roof and rear gardens with five lime trees. House number 9, the former house of the grand mistress, retains its rectangular windows with rebates and preserved wings.

The northern side of the courtyard features older beguinage houses (numbers 23-28 and 30) from the 17th century, with house number 25's gable having been renewed. The houses numbered 10-14 and 29, built in the 19th century, have round-arched windows and doors on the ground floor and rectangular windows with small panes on the upper floor. Behind houses 26-28, brick houses were constructed after 1918.

The Neo-Gothic Chapel

A neo-Gothic chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, likely dating from the second half of the 19th century, forms an oriel on the beguinage's wall. The chapel features gables with stepped buttresses at the corners and pointed arched openings. Inside, a wooden altar on columns with a plastered Pietà from the 19th century serves as the centerpiece.

Visiting the Beguinage of Oudenaarde is like stepping into a serene, historical haven where time seems to stand still. The peaceful courtyards, the charming houses, and the spiritual aura of the church and chapel make it an unmissable destination for anyone exploring the rich cultural heritage of Oudenaarde. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a tranquil retreat, the Beguinage of Oudenaarde offers a unique and enriching experience.