Great Beguinage, Sint-Amandsberg

Around 1234 Joanne of Constantinople founded a small and large beguinage in Ghent, both dedicated to Saint Elisabeth.

In the second half of the 19th century these fell into difficulties with the city authorities, since they were on sites needed for urban expansion.

It was fully planned by the architect Arthur Verhaegen and with a large central aisled church by Jean-Baptiste de Bethune, dedicated to saints Elisabeth of Thuringia, Michael and the Holy Angels.

It was classed as a monument[1][2] in 1994 and listed as part of the Flanders Beguinages World Heritage Site in 1998.

The last beguines died in January and August 2003 and the buildings were gradually converted to other functions, particularly for charities.