Groot Begijnhof Leuven

The Groot Begijnhof of Leuven is a remarkably complete walled beguinage, effectively a small historic town within the university city. Founded in the 13th century, it once housed a semi-religious community of lay women in rows of brick houses along cobbled lanes and around courtyards, crossed by branches of the river Dijle. After centuries of decline it was acquired by the university and restored as student and staff housing. Its scale and integrity earned it World Heritage status, and visitors stroll the tranquil enclosed streets.