Priory of Beaufays, Former monastery in Chaudfontaine, Belgium
The Priory of Beaufays is a former monastery on a plateau south of Liege with religious buildings, a tower, and a farmyard complex arranged around central courtyards. The Saint-Jean-l'Evangeliste church, integrated into the priory complex, contains an 18th-century organ and serves various functions today.
The priory was founded in 1123 at a spring source and developed over centuries as a religious center. After the French Revolution, the site became private property in 1798 and lost its original monastic function.
The spring at the site served as a vital water source for the daily work of its inhabitants. The Augustinian canons used this water according to their traditional methods for various activities on the grounds.
The site sits on elevated ground south of Liege, making it clearly visible in the landscape. Visitors should know that exploring the grounds requires walking and conditions vary depending on the season.
In the 1870s the grounds were converted into a school when German Ursuline nuns added a new wing. This change of purpose shows how the site served different needs across generations.
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