Van Hamaele

This room is located on the ground floor of the Convent of Chièvres. To reach the building, walk from the parking lot over the authentic cobblestones a bit through the Great Beguinage.

A bit of history

Maria Magdalene of Hamal (ca. 1460-1540), wife of William of Croÿ, financed the construction of the Convent of Chièvres in 1561. The pear spire on the slate roof recalls the corner towers of her family's castle in Heverlee. The Convent housed 13 beguines and had various functions, including a textile mill and girls' orphanage, before becoming a convent in 1937.