Averbode Abbey is a working abbey, housing monks from the Premostratensian order, known in Belgium as the Norbertines. Founded in 1134, it was suppressed in 1797 and re-established in 1834. Visitors can visit the 17th century abbey church (guided tours are available - see Abbey website), and there is also a cafe - very popular with walkers visiting the surrounding woodlands - and a gift shop. The present church building was built in 1664-72 in the Baroque style by Flemish architect Jan van den Eynde II. The interior comprises a short nave, a crossing with north and south transepts, and a long chancel for the monks (who are separated from the public in the nave by gates). Unusually, the ceiling is rib-vaulted in the Gothic fashion, and a planned dome over the crossing was abandoned after one of the supporting pillars collapsed during construction. The interior is whitewashed and the decoration is severely restrained for the Baroque, in blacks, greys and silver. The carved wooden choir stalls used by the monks are, in contrast, florid examples of the Baroque style, featuring cherubs and saints framed by elaborate barley-twist columns. The abbey is accessed through a 15th Century gateway which survives from an earlier church, and leads into a spacious courtyard, with the monks' main accommodation block opposite and the abbey church on the right. Also here is a small chapel where members of the public can light candles. Outside the abbey precinct, and accessed via a path which runs along the south abbey wall is the cafe and gift shop. The cafe serves light meals and snacks and is very popular with groups on weekends and public holidays. Adjacent is a gift shop serving a mix of children's books, religious items and artisanal food and gifts such as toiletries. (The Abbey has been for a long time a major publisher of children's books.) A very good spot for a day out if you are in the area. read more

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