Little Bruges, the perfect pocket-sized medieval city, was a Sleeping Beauty. Laced with canals, it was one of the great ...

While Bruges is one of Belgium's top destinations, this little-known spot is a tranquil escape from the tourist crowds, boasting gardens and historic buildings.

Another manifestation of that medieval structure of faith is the Bruges begijnhof: a self-contained cluster of houses built around a central garden and church, and contained within a protective wall.

The begijnhof at Bruges is as well-preserved as the rest of the city, with its lofty Gothic churches, wide market square, richly decorated guildhalls and meandering canals. Georges Rodenbach, the ...

But in the shoulder seasons the crowds vanish and it’s easy to navigate around town. As you explore the small city, take a few minutes to stroll the tranquil grounds of the Bruges Begijnhof .

The houses of Benedictine nuns today, the Begijnhof dates back to the 13th century, founded in 1245 by Margaret, Countess of Constantinople, to bring together the Beguines—girls and widows from ...

Read our guide to the best free things to do in Bruges including parks, canals, windmills, churches, neighbourhoods, architecture and jogging routes.

Bruges’s begijnhof is one of the most charming: founded in 1244, most of the buildings today date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Sitting on a bench, watching the sisters of the begijnhof pace this timeless courtyard deep in prayer, I find myself reviewing the memorable images and calories enjoyed during a day in Bruges.