The beguinages are the homes of beguinages which were actually small communities of women that emerged as early as the 13th Century in countries like Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. These ladies, known as Beguines, led a sacred life in a quiet seclusion, without taking religious vows. Belgium has the remnants of the beguinages in 20 cities, of which 13 have been inscribed on UNESCO’S World Heritage List and the Anderlecht Beguinage in Brussels is one of them.
The Anderlecht Beguinage is composed of four simple houses which are arranged around a central garden close to the church. It was actually the tiniest beguinage of Belgium with only eight residents and was built by the funding of one of the canons, William Doyen of the Chapter of Anderlecht.
In 1930, the structure was turned into a museum open to public. The museum is made up of two houses and there is a narrow path leading to the entrance. They are located around a lovely inner courtyard, offering a splendid view of the nearby Collegial Church of St Peter and St Guido. The inner garden has a covered well and is flanked by two rows of maisonettes.
For the history lovers, the museum contains a local history collection documenting a thousand years of Anderlecht past. The museum shares a common administrative office with the Erasmus House, the former home of the great Renaissance scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam.




