Beghina Beguinage Museum

Begijnhofmuseum Beghina in Tongeren

Onder de Linde 12, Tongeren

Sint-Anna-ten-Drieën

 

The Beghina Beguinage Museum is located on the idyllic square ‘Onder de Linde’ (Under the Lime Tree). Take your time to make your way to this Unesco World Heritage Site and discover the ancient Shrine of Saint Catherine.

Beghina Beguinage Museum

The Saint Catherine Beguinage is one of thirteen Flemish beguinages that are protected as Unesco World Heritage Sites. The Beghina Beguinage Museum is housed in a beguinage dwelling dating back to 1660 located on the idyllic ‘Onder de Linde’ square. Here you will have the opportunity to learn all about the world of the beguines.

 

Shrine of Saint Catherine

The Shrine of Saint Catherine consists of seven oak panels with a gabled roof. Some of the polychrome has disappeared, as is the case with most relics. A saint is painted in each of the arches. Female saints are depicted on one side: Ursula with two virgins, Juliana with book and monstrance, Barbara with palm branch and tower, Agnes with palm branch and lamb, Catherine with wheel and sword, Dorothea with a flower basket, Gertrudis as abbess with book and rodents and Lucia with a sword piercing her throat. On the reverse Peter is shown with book and key, as are Mary, Jesus on the cross, John the Evangelist, Servatius with key and dragon, Erasmus with windlass, Nicholas with a little boy in a barrel and Maternus as a bishop holding a church model. The presence of these saints on the shrine indicates that it was made specifically for the beguinage in Tongeren.

 

Sint-Catharinaschrijn

Practical information

Address

Onder de Linde 12
3700 Tongeren
Belgium
View directions

Opening hours

  • Open Tuesday to Sunday from 14.00 to 17.00 hrs.

  • Closed the first 2 weeks of January.

Accessibility

  • Not easily accessible for people with disabilities.

Good to know

  • Admission: € 4.00 standard rate

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