St-Truiden – Beguinage

The history of the Saint Agnes Beguinage spans many centuries. In 1258, Willem van Rijckel, Abbot of the Benedictines of Sint-Trudo from 1248 to 1272, donated a plot of land in Sint-Truiden to the beguines, who were then dispersed throughout the city. The land lay outside the city walls, in the valley of Cicindria.

In 1265, the beguinage church was consecrated and the first Beguines moved into the enclosed courtyard. Later, the church was enlarged, remodelled and repaired after damage. The beguinage church is the jewel of the beguinage. This church is dedicated to Saint Agnes and is centrally located on the plot. In 1797, the beguinage was abandoned and non-Beguines also moved in.

In 1934, the church was transferred to the “Friends of the Beguinage of Sint-Truiden”. In 1935, the church was deconsecrated and converted into a museum, following extensive restoration work. This was a first in Belgium. Wall paintings were restored by Cornelis Leggenhoek (1903-1971) from Bruges.

During the Second World War (1940-1945), the church suffered damage from bombings. Subsequently, repair work took place. In 1970, the Beguinage Church was transferred to the province of Limburg. After that, conservation and restoration of the murals began by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage in Brussels.

Since 1998, the beguinage has been on the Unesco World Heritage List, and in 2004 the beguinage square was redeveloped.

The Beguinage Church is particularly famous for its absolutely magnificent paintings. These are not just murals, but also works of art on pillars. These paintings span the period from the 13th to the 17th century and strongly illustrate medieval religious devotion. Many medieval murals date from the early 16th century. These were applied after the church's restoration and rebuilding between 1489 and 1511. There are scenes dedicated to the life of Mary, namely the Coronation of Mary (14th and 16th centuries) and from the 16th century: the Annunciation, the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, the Marriage of Mary and Joseph, the Nativity of Christ, the Dormition of Mary with the Assumption, and the Rosary. There are also murals of, among others, Saint Cecilia, Saint Clare, Saint Francis, Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, Saint Gudula of Brussels, Saint Hubert and Saint Lucy.

The Beguinage is located on Speelhoflaan in Sint-Truiden, just outside the centre.