Affligem Abbey

The St. Peter and Paul Abbey owes its origins in 1062 to six knights who repented through the preaching of monk Wedericus of St. Peter's Abbey in Ghent. Through the help of Saint Anno, Archbishop of Cologne, they settled in Affligem on the land of the German Count Palatine Herman II.
In 1085 they adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict. The abbey soon grew into one of the most important in the Old Netherlands.
The banner of the Dukes of Brabant was kept there. The abbey is also very prominent from a contemplative perspective: St. Lutgardis therefore called it "the mirror of all monasteries".
(toerismeaffligem.be)

For many years the abbey was the most important in the Low Countries. It originated from a hermit community, which was probably founded on June 28, 1062 and after a few years adopted the rule of Saint Benedict. The monks soon established new abbeys, including that of Vlierbeek. The abbey buildings grew into an impressive complex and served as cemeteries for the dukes of Brabant. The abbey was repeatedly the victim of war violence. In the 18th century it flourished again and many new buildings were built. During the French Revolution the monks were expelled from the abbey. The buildings were reduced to rubble and their 8,262 hectares of land was confiscated. In 1870, monastic life was revived within the stately Bishop's House. Of the old buildings, one wall of the church, the Bishop's House and St. Benedict's Gate remain. The neo-Gothic buildings are from the 19th century, the large refectory from 1890 was adapted in 1927: the current church dates from 1972

Source: walking guide - Flanders route GR 128

The abbey, located on a height, dominates the environment and can be admired from several places.