Rouge-Cloître Abbey, Brussels

An oase on the outskirts of Brussels

The Rouge-Cloître Abbey, in the village Oudergem (Brussels, Belgium) has been restored in its full glory after many years of restauration. Thanks to its unique character, scenic landscape and gateway to the Sonian Forest, it has become a popular location amongst hikers.

The Rouge-Cloître Abbey got her name from the walls that were coated in crushed tiles, which produced the characteristic red colour. It was founded in 1367-1369 by hermits and became a priory of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. Throughout the centuries the priory gathered great wealth. The famous painter Hugo van der Goes lived and worked there during the last years of his life. In 1482, he died in the priory from insanity.

Restauration
Parts of the abbey were destroyed during several wars and the property started to deteriorate. When the terrain was purchased by the Belgian government in 1911, only several buildings remained left. In 1965 it became a listed monument. Nowadays, it is administered from the Brussels institute for eco-management and property of the commune of Brussels.

Clean-cut and formal
The remaining buildings were carefully restored and the 18th century garden was renewed completely. In 2007 the outdoor terrain was finished. In 2009 the courtyard was re-established. On the forecourt an exact copy of the original fountain is displayed. In the clean-cut and formal garden hedges mark the locations where previously the walls of the demolished buildings were standing. Today, the abbey accommodates amongst others an art centre.

Peace
After the many passer-by’s that stayed in the abbey throughout the years, 28 Carpinus betulus cubes (size 30-40) now found their permanent stay. Nursery Udenhout supplied the trees and in the nursery the north side of the stem was marked, so that they could be replanted in the same sun position. Centrally located on the big square in front of the abbey a large lime tree was planted. The company Krinkels from Londerzeel was responsible for the completions of the different projects.

Oasis
The Rouge-Cloître Abbey with its gardens, ponds, marshes and woods is one of five nature reserves located in the Sonian Forest. In the woods nearby the abbey one can also find monumental trees, like the English oak (Quercus robur) with a stem circumference of 4,5 meter measured at 1,50 meter height and a hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). This magical oasis of peace near Brussels is most certainly worth visiting.

Trees chosen for this project:
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