Sint-Bernardus Abbey Hemiksem

The Cistercians of the imposing Saint Bernard Abbey, founded in 1243, are the founders of clay mining and brick production in the Rupel region. In the Middle Ages, the abbey was one of the richest in Western Europe. The French Revolution decided the fate of the Cistercians. The abbey church was demolished and a naval hospital was built in 1811 in the Napoleonic era. Later the building complex was still used as a prison etc. Now it is used as a town hall. The 14 ha park is simple but historic. There are also two museums. The Heemmuseum and the Tile Museum Gilliot. Definitely worth a visit.

Beautifully preserved building of the former abbey...

This former Cistercian abbey was founded in the thirteenth century. Over the years, the complex has grown into an impressive ensemble of wings and three courtyards surrounded by a park of approximately 14 hectares. The abbey was very important in the Middle Ages. However, after the French Revolution, the monks were expelled and the buildings served as a prison and storage place for the army. Today you will not only find the town hall of Hemiksem, but also two museums: the Heem Museum and the Gilliot and Roelants Tile Museum.