Klooster Nazareth, Monastic complex in Venlo, Netherlands.
Klooster Nazareth is a monastic building in Venlo that combines red brick with Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic elements, marked by pointed arch doors and decorative stonework. The interior preserves original features such as terrazzo flooring, marbled panels, and cross-rib vaults supported by brick columns in the entry hall.
The building was constructed between 1901 and 1911 under Dean Mares' commission, with architect Henri Seelen designing it as an orphanage. It then operated for decades as a residential and educational facility for vulnerable children.
The monastery served as a home for orphaned children and provided them with shelter and education under the care of sisters from the Tilburg region. This purpose shaped daily life within the building for generations.
Access to the building is via Straelseweg, where the facade is clearly visible and the architectural style easy to appreciate from the street. Spending time observing the interior details and decorative elements provides the best understanding of the structure.
The facade employs both dark red and light-colored bricks in a symmetrical pattern that gives the building a distinctive visual character. Authentic stained glass windows in the chapel interior reflect the spiritual purpose the building once held.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
