Begijnhof 

Almost adjacent to (the south side of) Amsterdam Museum, lies the peaceful and scenic square of Begijnhof. It is hard to believe this square is a few paces away from the hustle and bustle of Kalverstraat. The serene hideaway of Begijnhof is a courtyard that dates back to the mid-14th century. It is lined by a series of historic row houses, the oldest of which is also the oldest building in the city (No34 built in 1420).

The area was created in 1346 to house Beguines, pious catholic women living like nuns in small communes called Beguinages. You can still find old ladies living in the same historic houses & attending the neighborhood’s chapel of the Engelse Kerk (English Church).

The first church in Begijnhof was built as the private chapel of the Beguines in about 1390. It was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in the 1490s. The Church was closed down during the Reformation and lay desolate for 20 years till in 1607 it was given to the people of English origin living in Amsterdam.

The serenity of this place has been a constant counterweight of the surrounding commotion for countless Amsterdamers like Vincent Van Gogh who in the late 19th century praised the otherworldly serenity of the place.

There is a small shop where you can purchase histories and postcards of the Begijnhof or just be informed by the residents who work in it and are always very keen to pass on their knowledge. This area is also a sun trap where you can kick back and just enjoy the 17th and 18th-century architecture of the place.