What the … is a beguinage?
Only a few countries have known beguinages: Belgium, Netherlands, UK and France (to my knowledge).
I have always been tought by history teachers that it all started due to the surplus of women because many men died on the battlefield or during paramilitary operations as from the 14th century.
Women had no other alternative but to live together in a sheltered environment, often depending on one or more mecenases or filantropists. They would take religious vows and commit to remain unmarried. There were several types of beguinages.
The Mechelen beguinage is located in the middle of the city and has no surrounding walls like Lier or Bruges. To be complete, I need to mention that there used to be two beguinages in Mechelen. But that would lead me too far in history class ?
In Mechelen, a good location to start your visit is here
A few pictures
Church
Obviously a beguinage had a church… It is a wonderfully restored baroque building.
Mechelen and beer, a difficult story
Everyone knows the rich and traditional beer culture in Belgium. Historically, there used to be two breweries in town.
Lamot brewery was located in the middle of the city and has been producing mainly lager beer from 1855 until 1994. There were a series of acquisitions until Lamot was finally bought by InBev in 1970. Today it is a museum, restaurant and congress center.
The other brewery, still brewing today, is 't Anker. In order to survive, they are also distilling whisky and a part of the buildings was turned into a hotel and a restaurant.
Their beer is sold under the brand name Gouden Carolus. It comes in two varieties: a normal one and a triple (higher alcohol percentage 8,5%). You can drink it in any pub in Mechelen. Also try the whisky!