The entrance drive of the Norbertine Abbey in Tongerlo is the very last 17th century Dutch lime avenue in the Low Countries. The old trees are Dutch limes (Tilia x europaea).

The lime avenue was planted by order of the then abbot of Tongerlo, Jacobus Hroznata Crils (1625-1695). This abbot is known to have had a passion for avenues. The white men of Tongerlo later said of him: “Quidquid plantabat, drevia semper erat: ’t Waren al dreef, dat hij plantte”. His successor, Gregorius Piera (1645-1723), continued this beautification policy. Under this abbot, the lime avenue was extended in the direction of Westerlo. This extension, which was constructed in 1700, coincides with the current Boerenkrijglaan (at least the northern segment to Overwijs). This new avenue consisted of six rows of beech and oak trees.

The avenues that the abbey planted between 1676 and 1723 were not isolated but were part of a coherent avenue system. Of all these avenues, only the lime avenue has been preserved. The reason for this is that the lime avenue had a representative character, while the other avenues, which consisted of oaks and beeches, served both utility and ornamental purposes. When the trees were 80 to 90 years old, they were cut down and replaced by young trees. The trees were also regularly pruned in the 18th century, as was customary at the time.

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Dries

March 9, 2025

This beautiful avenue leads to the entrance gate of the Tongerlo Abbey.

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Elevation 60 m

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