Aulne Abbey, Cistercian monastery ruins in Thuin, Belgium
Aulne Abbey is a monastery ruin sitting along the Sambre River, where stone walls and Gothic arches still stand in parts. The remaining structures reveal how the complex was organized, with spaces for prayer, work, and daily living spread across what once was a self-contained community.
The monastery began in 657 as a Benedictine community and shifted to Cistercian rule in 1147. French revolutionary forces destroyed it in 1794, ending over a thousand years of continuous monastic presence.
The name derives from alder trees that once grew along the riverbank where the monastery stood. You can sense in the remaining structures how daily monastic life unfolded in these spaces.
The ruins sit at Rue Émile Vandervelde 277 in Thuin right beside the river, making them easy to locate. Booking a guided tour in advance helps you understand the layout and history better during your visit.
The abbey's historic brewing tradition was revived by local brewers who recreate medieval recipes once made by the monks. These beers connect today's visitors directly to the monastery's working past and the monks' skills in craftsmanship.
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