The Begijnhof is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. It was founded in the
Middle Ages. It was originally a convent for the Beguines, a sisterhood of the Roman Catholic Church
founded in the 13th century, comprising religious women who sought to serve God without retiring from
the world. Poor and elderly beguines were housed in the Begijnhof by benefactors. The last Beguine
died in 1971. Houses today are still occupied by single women.