The ruins of Stavelot Abbey

The ruins mainly date from the 18th century. The abbey church was destroyed shortly after the revolution.The history of the abbey dates back to the 7th century. The Abbey is said to have been founded in 651 by Saint Remaclus, an Irish monk who came to the region as a missionary. The abbey quickly developed into an important religious and cultural center. Over the centuries, the abbey has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, particularly during the wars and conflicts that ripped through Europe. Despite these challenges, the abbey managed to maintain its importance as a religious and cultural center. In the late 18th century, during the French Revolution, Stavelot Abbey was dissolved and converted into a secular building.

The entrance tower was built in 1536. The recreated remains show the floor plan of the abbey church, which was destroyed after the revolution.
Source: Stavelot city map

1977-2015
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONSThe uncovering of the remains of the great Ottonian pilgrim abbey, the discovery of traces of the first religious buildings and of the ancient Romanesque monastery, as well as the quality of the objects collected have largely demonstrated the great archaeological importance of the Stavelot site.