Hoogstraten Begijnhof Northeast Belgium

With two leafy quadrangles of pretty whitewashed houses and a remarkably oversized baroque chapel, this peaceful spot is one of Flanders' least-known begijnhoven.Though founded in 1380 and first walled in 1534, it only grew to its present size in the late 17th century. Upstairs in house 9 is a surprisingly extensive museum of local history, above a gallery of changing exhibitions.