Aldeneik Abbey
Aldeneik Abbey (
canons
in the 10th century. In the 16th century the canons moved to nearby Maaseik, and Aldeneik was abandoned.
History
According to the canons. Under the leadership of their abbot they continued to live, work and pray in Aldeneik for more than six centuries.
In 1571, during the wars following the
Protestant Reformation
, the canons - with their treasure - took refuge in the nearby town of Maaseik. Here, the predecessor of the church of Saint Catherine became the chapter's private church. The canons sold their property in Aldeneik in order to buy houses in Maaseik where they continued to live peacefully for another 240 years. After the arrival of the French revolutionary troops in 1793, the chapter was dissolved in 1797. The church fell into disrepair and was demolished. In 1840-45 the current Neoclassical church was built, but the chapter was never restored.
At the original abbey location in Aldeneik only the heavily-restored former abbey church remains, which still serves as a parish church and is now dedicated to Saint Anne (Church of Saint Anne, Aldeneik). Nothing of the cloisters, nor the later chapter house or canon's houses have been preserved.
Treasure
The treasure of the abbey, preserved in the church of Saint Catherine in Maaseik, is presented in a small museum located in the
Anglo-Saxon liturgical embroidery dating from the 8th or 9th century. Several other relics of the abbey founders, Harlindis and Relindis, have survived in the treasury. Other important pieces in the collection are reliquaries (some dating back to the 9th century), liturgical vessels made of gold and silver, paraments, and ancient manuscripts
.
-
Codex Eyckensis (8th century) -
Velamen of Harlindis (silk, 8th or 9th century) -
Maxilla reliquary (silver, 10th century) -
Relics of Harlindis and Relindis (1652)
