A long time ago, around the 12th century, a new religious movement spread throughout Europe. Catholic women gathered together and lived in communes, following quite strict rules. They were called beguines; the word came from the beige robes that they often wore.

They preferred to run a joint household isolated from the human world. The residential complexes were called beguinages. Depending on the women’s income, beguinages could be poor, consisting of one small house to live and conduct services, or rich, including several buildings with residential and household structures. Rich and big beguinages had chapels and, much less often, churches.

In total, there were about 80 beguinages in Europe. Only 30 have survived to this day. Some are still monasteries. Others turned into museums.

Begijnhof in Breda is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Today it is an outstanding sight, attracting the attention of guests.

What we see now is not the original place of living of beguines. Initially, they came to Breda in 1267, and their residence was in the city centre, near Breda Castle on Kasteelplein. But in the 16th century, Breda authorities decided to enlarge the main castle to make it a palace complex, complying with the royal family status. So, they demolished the house of beguines, and women moved to a new beguinage located on Catharinastraat where it still stands today.

When the tough Reformation times came, Begijnhof became the only Catholic place in Breda. But changes did not spare it. Beguines had the chapel of Saint Wendelin, erected in 1440. It passed to the Walloon Church, so they had to conduct services secretly in a small home church till the mid-19th century.

Despite all the obstacles, Begijnhof in Breda gradually expanded, becoming more beautiful and significant. Today it is a whole complex of attractive buildings. For example, it has preserved the 16th-century gate, the chief dame's house, a laundry, and a hospital. The complex has newer buildings such as St. Catharina Chapel, erected in 1838 after the official permission to build Catholic temples.

Today the complex houses a small but exciting museum, telling about the life of beguines.