Monday - Catholic women only community

We continued on our trek following the tourist map.  Megan had read about this at lunch.

This was a community of single catholic women who "did good works" they were like nuns but did not take vows or enter a convent.  

Back in the dim dark past (1578-1795), the Protestants rose to the ascendancy.  Catholics were not allowed to worship openly.  Most official catholic property was confiscated.  These houses were private property and not official catholic property so were not confiscated.  There is a church in the middle that is Protestant as a result of the redistribution.  Way back the Catholics created a 'house church' in two adjacent houses.  Still in use today.  A service seemed in operation when I as a tourist announced my presence by opening the door.  Quietly closed it and snuck off.

The houses all open onto this green 'square' (triangle).  All entrances to the public are locked off at night.