Bornem Abbey

Bornem Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Belgium featuring a high tower, gardens, and monastic buildings arranged around a central courtyard following traditional religious design principles. The complex contains multiple structures with spaces for prayer, work, living quarters, and storage organized according to monastic needs.

The monastery was founded in 1836 when monks from the destroyed St. Bernard's Abbey in Hemiksem relocated to Bornem following the French Revolution. The community then established itself and grew into a working monastery with its own buildings and operations.

The monastic community shaped daily life through prayer and manual labor, traditions still visible in the quiet corridors and carefully tended gardens today. The design of the spaces reflects Cistercian values of simplicity and self-sufficiency that governed how monks lived.

The monastery is accessible to visitors since the city of Bornem purchased it in 2014 and opened the grounds for exploration. When visiting, be aware of uneven ground and traditional stairs in older buildings that may be challenging to climb.

The abbey tower served as a military observation post during World War I and was the last defensive position in Bornem during the conflict. It withstood German artillery fire, making it a silent witness to a turbulent chapter in the region's history.