Abdij Maria Toevlucht, Trappist monastery in Klein-Zundert, Netherlands
Abdij Maria Toevlucht is a Trappist monastery set across about 15 hectares of forest and heathland, featuring residential quarters, a church, guesthouse, and brewery for producing beer according to Trappist tradition. The community follows the monastic rule of the Cistercian order and welcomes visitors to experience their way of life.
The monastery was founded in 1900 when French monks sought refuge in the Netherlands, with local landowner Anna Catharina van Dongen donating property to establish this community. This marked the beginning of the Trappist order's continuous presence in this region.
The monks here gather daily for prayers using psalm translations by renowned Dutch poets, and these communal chants form the heartbeat of monastic life that visitors sometimes hear during their visit.
The monastery shop operates Tuesday through Saturday from early afternoon to mid-evening, selling Trappist beer, religious items, books, and products made on site. The location is most easily reached by car or bicycle since it sits in a secluded heathland setting.
The monastery produces Zundert Trappist beer and ranks among only two certified Trappist breweries in the Netherlands, making it a rare example of a monastic community engaged in craft beer production. This pairing of spiritual life and brewing tradition has drawn beer enthusiasts and curious visitors from across Europe.
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