Park Abbey

Here we enter the Park Abbey heritage site with a story that began centuries ago in 1129. The Premonstratensians have inhabited the domain since then to this day. The site has been beautifully preserved and restored and is buzzing with activity. The building complex, including a tithe barn, a coach house, farm buildings and a guest quarters, is located amid green meadows and water. PARCUM, the Museum and expertise center for religious art and culture, is highly recommended. You will learn more about the impressive abbey history and you will also discover hidden heritage from churches, abbeys and monasteries. In Brasserie De Abdijmolen you can enjoy delicious food and the view of the ponds in the restored water mill. Who knows, during your passage you may be treated to the chimes of the Peace Carillon, the world's largest musical instrument located in the church tower of Park Abbey.

The abbey of 't Park is located southeast of Leuven in the Molenbeek valley. This historic site, the abbey, the watermill, the outbuildings and the ponds have remained virtually unchanged for the last 230 years.

The abbey underwent 4 construction campaigns, making it one of the most beautiful in the Benelux, a monumental complex and a monument of beauty surrounded by a number of beautiful avenues. From the first construction period we note a first Romanesque church, cloister and dormitory dating from the 13th century. In the 15th century, the cloister was rebuilt in Gothic style, the abbot's and guest quarters, and the north and west gates were built. From 1558 to 1730, the cloister was renovated again, the farm and outbuildings (long barn, living and cart house wing) appeared and the abbot's quarters, the provisional building, the parsonage and the gates were renovated. The Baroque monastery buildings date from the 17th century.

More about the immovable heritage and its history at inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/135102

You can read an article about the nature around the abbey at natuurstudiegroepdijleland.be/abdij-van-t-park

The Brabant duke Godfrey I the Bearded founded the Premonstratensian abbey (Norbertine) in 1129. This order is still located here. The Aprk Abbey is an architectural ensemble from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Around the abbey are the gatehouses, the water mill (1534), the mighty farm, the tithe barn and water features. The cemetery has grown into the Campo Santo of Leuven University
Source: walking guide Flanders route GR 128