A haven of peace and greenery in the centre of the city, this begijnhof is depicted by a protected, walled, enclosure. The wooded quadrangle is lined by elegant gabled houses that were home to the beguines (semi-religious community of nuns). Most of the edifices fronted with small flower-decked gardens visible today date from the 17 and 18C. At N°34 is the oldest house of Amsterdam, Het Houten Huis (Wooden house, c. 1425).