St. Anna
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St Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary. By tradition, she and her husband Joachim were prosperous, but childless. This room is located on the first floor of the Infirmary building.
M. Roelands
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Machtilt Roelants (+ 1396), after whom this room is named, was a Beguine in Leuven’s Grand Beguinage, and came from a leading Leuven family. This room is located on the ground floor of the Infirmary building, and is accessible to wheelchairs.
Infirmerie
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This room is part of the Infirmary building. From way back, this complex, which was similar to a hospital, was one of the important components of the Flemish Beguinages which usually go back to the 13th to 14th century.
H. Geesttafel
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The 16th century Heilige Geesttafel or ‘Table of the Holy Spirit’ was responsible for care for the poor in the Beguinage. However, it was not just a typical Beguine institution: virtually every parish had one.
E. Van Ophem
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This room is named after Elisabeth van Ophem. She was of noble origin and lived in the Beguinage, where she died on 29 April 1656; she was buried at the Church of St John the Baptist.
Bisschopskamer
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Most abbeys had a Bishop’s Room where important guests – not just bishops – stayed when they were visiting or passing through. In beguinages, this was not customary, however. The question therefore arises whether bishops or other important guests actually ever stayed in this room. Perhaps it was just a ‘superior’ guest room.
Begga
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Begga (+ around 693) was the sister of St Gertrude of Nivelles. After her husband’s death, she founded a convent in Andenne. She is usually depicted holding a model of the convent church.
B. Lipsius
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This room was named after Barbara Lipsius (+ 1706), who was Stewardess for five years and Mistress of the Table of the Holy Spirit for 18 years. Together with her sisters, Catharina and Johanna, she lived in the house that her parents had built in 1661.
Lemaire
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The dilapidated Beguinage site was rescued from destruction in 1962 by the signing of an agreement transferring ownership to the University of Leuven (apart from the Church of St John the Baptist, which was only transferred after its restoration). This room is located on the ground floor of the Infirmary building, and is accessible to wheelchairs.
