The Béguinage (Begijnhof in Dutch) consists of a group of small houses, churches, green spaces, enclosed by walls, where only women were allowed to live. Béguinages were founded in many medieval cities of the Low Countries (Flanders and Netherlands); the first ones were established in the early 13th century. The beguines led a religious life but, unlike nuns in a convent, did not have to take vows.