Kortenberg Abbey, Benedictine monastery in Kortenberg, Belgium
Kortenberg Abbey is a monastery in Belgium with structures spanning several centuries. The complex includes a Gothic spired gate dating to the early 1600s, a working courtyard added in 1650, and a brewing facility constructed in the early 1700s.
The monastery was founded in 1095 and moved to its current location in 1222. This relocation marked the start of sustained occupation by Benedictine nuns under successive ecclesiastical patrons.
The Charter of Kortenberg, signed at the abbey in 1312 by John II Duke of Brabant, established constitutional rights for citizens of the duchy.
The monastery now functions as a diocesan retreat center and is reachable by the Brussels-Liège train line. Its proximity to Kortenberg station and the A3/E40 highway makes access straightforward.
In 1129 Bishop Burchard of Cambrai granted the monastery control over several parishes in the region, significantly expanding its influence. These parish rights and their associated tithe revenues provided economic security for centuries.
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