Small beguinage Our Lady ter Hoyen

Lucas II Horenbout (ca. 1560-1626)

The Fountain of Life
De Fontein des Levens
Dominique Provost - Art in Flanders

Klein Begijnhof, Gent

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Beguinages are not only UNESCO World Heritage Sites, they also often preserve stunning artwork created by Flemish Masters. Discover Lucas II Horenbout in the Small beguinage Our Lady ter Hoyen and briefly escape from the hustle and bustle in Ghent.

De Fontein des Levens van Lucas Horenbout II
Dominique Provost - Art in Flanders

Small beguinage Our Lady ter Hoyen

The Small beguinage Our Lady ter Hoyen, is the best preserved example of its kind predating the French Revolution. It was founded in 1235 by the Countess of Flanders, after the Oud Begijnhof Sint-Elisabeth (Old Beguinage of Saint Elizabeth). Unsuspecting but curious passersby will come upon a Baroque church, a hundred or so houses and a meadow (the former cemetery) behind the long façade on the street side. Briefly escape the hustle and bustle of Ghent and take a breather here.

The Fountain of Life

This polyptych by Luke II Horenbout dating back to 1596 shows Christ’s blood flowing from his five crucifixion wounds, first into the Fountain of Life and via cherub heads into the Fountain of Mercy, where it flows out again. Martyrs add their blood to the fountain while others scoop blood from the fountain. On earth, believers offer their heart for a few drops of blood, the pope foremost among them.

De Fontein des Levens van Lucas Horenbout II (detail)
Dominique Provost - Art in Flanders
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Presentatiekerk (Begijnhof) in Gent
Davidh820 (CC Wikimedia)
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Presentatiekerk (Begijnhof) in Gent (interieur)
Paul Hermans (CC Wikimedia)

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Address

Klein Begijnhof
Lange Violettestraat
9000 Gent
Belgium
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Opening hours

  • From 1 April to 1 November:

    • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm.
      Friday, Saturday, Sundays and public holidays from 2 pm to 5 pm.

    • Closed on Wednesdays.

  • From 2 November to 31 March:

    • Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm.
      Saturday from 2 pm to 4 pm.

    • Closed on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Accessibility

  • Is partially accessible.

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Good to know

  • Admission: free

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Master Tour Ghent

Follow in the footsteps of the legendary Flemish Masters. The Master Tours take you to extraordinary places in Flanders’ cities and towns, all connected by one story.
On a Flemish Master Tour in Ghent
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