Mariënlof Abbey, Cistercian nunnery in Kerniel, Belgium
Mariënlof Abbey is a nunnery in Kerniel organized around a central courtyard surrounded by stone buildings with large windows. The layout follows traditional Cistercian design with distinct areas for prayer, daily work, and living quarters.
The monastery was founded in 1438 by Maria van Colen as a religious community dedicated to the Holy Cross order. It transformed into a Cistercian nunnery in the early 1800s.
The abbey is a living community where nuns continue daily practices of prayer and work within its walls. The simple stone buildings and chapel show how religious life has been organized here for centuries.
The abbey is open to visitors from April through October and guided tours are led by the resident sisters. It is best to check visiting times in advance before planning your visit.
The abbey grounds are surrounded by a contemporary art installation of vertical wooden slats that creates a 360-degree perspective around the entire site. This modern artistic intervention frames the historic stone buildings in an unexpected way.
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