The church is the most impressive building of the abbey (94 m long, 23 m high and 40 m wide). Construction, first in Romanesque and then in Gothic style, began in 1197 and ended around 1267. One of the peculiarities of the building is the use of oculi (small round windows) combined with very elongated windows that make the choir a unique construction. The simplicity of the lines and the simplicity of the decoration are characteristic of Cistercian art. The monks met in the church seven times a day and once at night to sing psalms.

Translated by Google •

June 24, 2025

Like all Cistercian churches, the abbey church was dedicated to Mary. The porch (the 'nartex') shows that the church was built in Romanesque style. The nave gradually changed to Gothic.

Although the latter style was built with more light and more in height, the whole has remained harmonious with the various styles. The high pointed arch vaults of the choir and transept are supported on the outside by buttresses and supporting arches.

The Cistercian Gothic is austere and sober: no statues, no stone bell tower, and only grisaille glass with geometric motifs in the window openings.
The church has collapsed several times and was thoroughly restored at the end of the nineteenth century.

Source and more details about the church at villers.be/nl/locaties/kerk

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 90 m

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Location: Villers-La-Ville, Nivelles, Walloon Brabant, Wallonie, Wallonia, Belgium

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