Besloten Hof

Besloten Hof is a former enclosed convent in the heart of Herentals, one of the historic towns of the Belgian Campine region. The complex was founded in 1410 and served as a religious house for nearly four centuries — first home to Norbertine sisters, and from 1836 onwards to Franciscan sisters. Its name, "Besloten Hof" ("enclosed garden"), reflects the cloistered character of the site: life here unfolded behind walls, shut off from the bustle of the surrounding town.

What can you see at Besloten Hof?

Most of the buildings surrounding the inner courtyard date from the seventeenth century, with the convent itself dated to 1661. Passing through the gatehouse, visitors are immediately confronted with the former provost's residence from 1682, one of the site's most striking features. The ground floor of the building displays the heraldic shield of Herentals, underlining the convent's close historical ties to the town.

The chapel traces its origins to the fifteenth century, though its present form is the result of later reconstruction. During the French Revolution the building was partially demolished, and in 1797 French republican forces expelled the sisters from the convent altogether. The chapel was not rebuilt until 1855, after religious life had returned to Besloten Hof under the Franciscan sisters.

Why does this site's history stand out?

Besloten Hof bears witness to the turbulent fortunes of religious institutions in the Southern Netherlands across four centuries. Its trajectory — a medieval founding, a flourishing in the seventeenth century, suppression during the French Revolutionary period, and revival in the nineteenth century — mirrors the wider political and social upheavals that shaped the region. It is a rare case of a site that, despite an interruption in continuous religious occupation, retained both its original purpose and architectural character for more than six hundred years.

What is Besloten Hof used for today?

Today the grounds of the former convent are shared between the remaining sisters and institutions serving the local community: the site now houses the Wit-Gele Kruis (a Belgian home nursing organization) and the Wijkgezondheidscentrum, a district health centre. As a result, the historic walls have not become a static monument but continue to serve a practical function for the people of Herentals.

Frequently asked questions

When was Besloten Hof founded? The convent was established in 1410 as a religious house for Norbertine sisters.

Which religious orders are associated with the site? Norbertine sisters first (until 1797), followed by Franciscan sisters from 1836 onwards.

What can visitors see on the grounds? Seventeenth-century buildings around the courtyard, a gatehouse leading to the former provost's residence from 1682, the heraldic shield of Herentals, and a chapel rebuilt in 1855.

Where can I find tourist information? At the Tourist Information Office at Grote Markt 35 in Herentals, open Tuesday to Friday and on Saturdays.

Is Besloten Hof still used for religious life today? Partly — the grounds are now shared between the remaining sisters and healthcare organizations serving the local district.