Affligem Abbey, Benedictine monastery in Hekelgem, Belgium
Affligem Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Affligem, Flemish Brabant, containing buildings from multiple periods and architectural styles. The complex includes the main church, cloister, dormitories, and various structures arranged around courtyards across the expansive site.
The abbey was established in 1062 when a local count granted land to monks seeking to build a religious community. The site grew to become one of the region's most important monasteries and underwent rebuilding and expansion through subsequent centuries.
The monastery remains an active place of prayer and work, where monks follow a daily rhythm rooted in Benedictine practice. This living community shapes how the buildings and grounds feel when visitors walk through them.
Visitors should expect cobblestone paths and steps throughout the grounds, as the abbey sits on historic terrain with sloped areas. It helps to plan your visit during times when the monks are not in services, making the spaces easier to explore freely.
The abbey holds the remains of an English queen interred there in the mid-12th century, creating an unexpected historical link between England and this Flemish monastery. Her burial here reflects how far medieval monastic networks extended across Europe.
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