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Delightfully hidden amongst the side streets of Amsterdam is the entrance to the Begijnhof, which is one of the oldest inner courts in the city of Amsterdam. It is still home to some "Beguine" in the enclosed group of historic buildings, now mostly private dwellings. The Beguine were similar to but were not nuns; they did not take vows, could return to the world and wed if they chose, and did not renounce their property. Via a tortuous route, the Beguine also turned up in a song title, Begin The Beguine. Amsterdam 2012.

Keywords: 2012, hidden, tiling, courtyard, amsterdam, mosaics, entrance