Almshouses were founded during the Middle Ages to house the elderly, sick and needy.
The St. Anna and St. Joachim Almshouse (1588) was originally located in the Kluizestraat. In 1613 it was moved to the Begijnhofstraat.
The St. Beatrix Almshouse (1848) stands a little further down the same street. Both almshouses were merged in 1863.
After the transfer of the St. Barbara Almshouse (± 1870) from the Rechtestraat, the Almshouse got its current shape and double name. It consists of a group of small houses around an inner garden.
The chapel of the St. Barbara and St. Beatrix Almshouse houses the Lier Centre for Textile Arts. Here you can visit an exhibition of Lier lace and pearlwork. On the first floor you can see lacemakers at work.
The almshouses are part of the central area of the beguinage, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lier lace is unique, as it is hand-embroidered on machine woven tulle and not bobbin lace. The city was also famous for pearl embroidery.
You can visit lace workshops in and around the beguinage.