Hoogstraten Beguinage

The Beguinage of Hoogstraten was founded in 1380 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. After a period of decline, the site was exemplarily restored in the 1990s and today hosts a residents' community, the beguinage museum, a documentation centre, and a chapel. The ensemble is one of the best preserved examples of the typical Kempen-style beguinages.

Accessibility is partial. The main entrance on the Begijnhof is level. The central squares are paved with cobblestones that after restoration are reasonably evenly laid, though cobbles remain less comfortable than smooth concrete or asphalt. The Saint Catherine beguinage church is accessible via a ramp at the side entrance and offers space on the ground floor. The beguinage museum has limited accessibility due to narrow historic doorways and stairs to the upper floor.

Adapted toilets are available in the visitor centre of the Municipal Museum. There are disabled parking spaces along the Vrijheid and near the Town Hall. The beguinage lies in the heart of Hoogstraten and is easy to combine with a visit to the Saint Catherine Church (with its famous 105-metre tower, one of the highest in Belgium) and a relaxed wheelchair stroll through the low-traffic centre.