Postel Abbey
Postel Abbey is a
History
In 1138, Premonstratensian canons from Floreffe Abbey founded the monastery at Postel as a dependent priory. It was located at a crossroads where important medieval roads met, on land given to Floreffe by Fastrad of Uitwijk.[1] The church was dedicated in August 1040
The canons practiced forestry, agriculture and cattle breeding.[2] In 1613, Postel became independent of Floreffe and in 1618 was raised to the status of abbey. Besides pioneering quarrying work in the region, the canons offered hospitality to travellers, In 1797, the abbey was closed, and the canons expelled, in the course of the French Revolution, when French troops invaded the Austrian Netherlands. The carillon ws lost at this time.[3] In 1847, the community here was re-established, after which the abbey buildings were restored in several phases.
From 1943, until the end of World War II,
Architecture
The second abbey church, dedicated to
Present day
The norbertines of Postel work in parishes, mostly in the vicinity of the abbey.[5] As of 2023 there were about twenty canons living at the abbey.
Traditionally, Postel abbey produced Postel, the abbey beer. This beer is no longer brewed within the abbey itself but in a commercial brewery in
In 1970 a guesthouse was opened. The information center provides tourist information about the region, cycling routes, walking brochures and regional curiosities and places of interest. The abbey is a venue for "Musica Divina", the Festival of Flanders Mechelen/Kempen’s autumn concert series.[6]
See also
References
- ISBN 9789065509581
- ^ "Postel Abbey", Tourism Mol
- ^ Rice, William Gorham. Carillons of Belgium and Holland: Tower Music in the Low Countries, John Lane Company, 1914, p. 203
- ^ "Conservation of the monastery Abbey de Postel", Fondation Campine Vivante
- ^ Postel Abbey official website
- ^ "Concert venues", Festival of Flanders Mechelen/Kempen
Sources
- (in Dutch) Postel Abbey official website
- (in Dutch) Postel Abbey botanical garden