The English Convent is closely linked to the history of the persecution of Catholics under Henry VIII. As a result, many members of religious orders fled to the mainland, and thus also to Flanders. In 1629, five English nuns from the Convent of St Monica in Leuven came to settle in Bruges.

It is a special oasis of silence and contemplation right in the beating heart of the city. Behind the historic façades lies a world where peace, simplicity and introspection still take centre stage. Despite its long history, the convent remains surprisingly relevant today: it reminds visitors of how valuable it is to create space for inner silence in an age often dominated by speed and stimuli.

Each season we organise a wide range of classical concerts, ranging from chamber music and vocal gems to larger-scale works. These take us on a journey from the Middle Ages to the present day.