Clarenhof

Clarenhof is a former convent of the Poor Clare Colettine sisters in the center of Hasselt, on Guffenslaan, now transformed into a residential care complex with a publicly accessible chapel. The site blends more than a century of monastic history with a modern function, making it an unusual stop for anyone curious about the city's architecture and the quiet atmosphere still preserved behind the old convent walls.

Where does Clarenhof come from and what is its history?

The Poor Clare sisters arrived in Hasselt at the end of the 19th century. Their mother house in Roeselare had planned in 1899 to establish a new convent in an old Franciscan monastery on Havermarkt, but the building proved too damp to be habitable. It was Father Valentinus Paquay, known as the Holy Father of Hasselt, who convinced the sisters to settle in Limburg regardless. Thanks to a benefactor from Huy, the nuns were able to purchase land along Guffenslaan and build a new convent there.

The result was a modest brick complex built in 1900 for the Poor Clare Colettine order, enclosed from the street by a blind wall. Inside, two courtyards were surrounded by the convent buildings, including a neo-Gothic chapel that was consecrated in 1902. The sisters lived there for more than a century, until 2004, when they left their convent on Hasselt's small ring road and relocated to Genk.

What is housed in Clarenhof today?

After the sisters departed, the building underwent a thorough renovation and officially reopened in 2014 as Clarenhof, a modern care facility. The complex now comprises 44 rooms in its care section, 55 service apartments, and a Grand Café open to residents and visitors alike. During the renovation, the most characteristic historic elements of the former convent were preserved, including the old outer walls, which were integrated into the new interior.

Is the chapel open to visitors?

Yes. The former convent chapel, consecrated back in 1902, has been restored and remains publicly accessible. It no longer serves solely a religious function — today it hosts exhibitions, concerts, care-related lectures, and film screenings. A particular highlight is the chapel's ceiling, artistically transformed by Belgian artist Nick Ervinck, giving the interior a bold, contemporary touch that contrasts with the neo-Gothic structure surrounding it.

Can visitors walk through the Clarenhof grounds?

Visitors can stroll through the open gardens located along Guffenslaan and Kunstlaan, which form part of the complex. It's a calm, green space right in the city center, still set apart from the surrounding streets by the old convent wall — a remnant of the era when this was the enclosed world of the Poor Clares.

Frequently asked questions

Is Clarenhof still an active convent with nuns living there? No. The Poor Clare Colettine sisters left the convent in 2004 and moved to Genk. The building now houses a senior care facility and service apartments.

Can you enter the Clarenhof chapel without attending a specific event? The chapel is publicly accessible and functions as a cultural events venue — exact access depends on what is currently taking place there, so it's worth checking on site or with the care center beforehand.

What else is worth seeing at Clarenhof besides the building itself? Beyond the neo-Gothic chapel with its artistically reimagined ceiling, the open gardens along Guffenslaan and Kunstlaan are worth a visit, as they remain from the convent's original courtyards.