The Sint-Alexius Beguinage from 1288 forms an oasis of calm in the heart of the city. Here you will find the Beguinage City Museum, dedicated to everyday life at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century: household, living, work, and leisure.
The museum comprises three old houses: a small house furnished as a beguine’s home (house no. 11), the infirmary (no. 24), and the house of the Mistress of the Beguines (no. 25), where the artistic heritage of the beguinage is displayed. Surrounding the museum is an ornamental and herb garden with a small orchard.
Beguinage house no. 11 has been furnished with the original furniture, providing an accurate view of a beguine’s bedroom, kitchen, and vaulted room, as well as the tasks that filled her days.
In 1983, the first section of the Museum of Folk Life opened in the remaining rooms of the Mistress of the Beguines’ house (no. 25, Saint Begga). Later, the museum was expanded to the upper floors and the adjacent house (no. 24, Saint Barbara), the infirmary dating from 1709.
Spread over three floors and numerous rooms, the museum showcases everyday life at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century: household, living, work, leisure…
Renewal
Several sections have been refurbished. Visit Café Santé, a reconstructed old inn filled with memories of café games and typical regional beers from Dendermonde. Discover the centuries-old tradition of decorating festival breads with a patacon in the “from grain to bread” section. Be amazed by the many neighborhood horses in the “horse room.”
Each beguinage house used to have a small vegetable and herb garden. Around the Beguinage City Museum, a small orchard with a herb garden has also been created, adjoining the ornamental garden of the Beguinage Museum.
Audioguide
At the reception, you can request a free audioguide. It introduces you to the world of the beguines and daily life around 100 years ago. Numbers throughout the museum correspond to audio clips you can play on the guide.
Two tours are available: one for adults and one for children (8 to 12 years old).
The children’s tour includes an activity booklet, allowing kids to explore the museum in a playful way. They are guided by the character Juliette (voiced by Veerle Malschaert).
The theatre group Gustaaf takes care of the adult tour, giving it a playful twist, complete with red headphones.
