Saint-Benoît de Maredsous
Abbaye de Maredsous • Rue de Maredsous 11
5537 Denée (Anhée)
Abbey church | 1872 | Neogothic | Roman Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 January - 31 December
Mon 7.00 - 20.30
Tue 7.00 - 20.30
Wed 7.00 - 20.30
Thu 7.00 - 20.30
Fri 7.00 - 20.30
Sat 7.00 - 20.30
Sun 7.00 - 20.30
Guided tour
+32 82 69 82 84
Religious offices
Matins : daily 7 am
Service : weekdays : 12 am • Sunday + feastdays : 10 am
Vespers : weekdays : 6.30 pm • Sunday + feastdays: 4 pm
Evening service : daily 8.30 pm
Description
Going up the Molignée valley towards the plateau of Maredsous one arrives at this impressive neo-gothic abbey. It is a centre of spiritual and intellectual life as well as the objective for those who come on a traditional walk to taste the beer and cheese, find religious books and articles and stroll in the neighbourhood. The church is always open.
It was built in 1872 with a long nave and a choir for the monks at the end. The original polychrome walls have been stripped of their glowing red look to become sober and simple. Liturgical reforms have now brought the monks closer to their congregation during ceremonies. The church achieves its most sublime spiritual dimensions during the four high points of the day when the monks come together to pray in the church or crypt: matins, mass, vespers and the evening service. Everyone can join in.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Saint Benedict and his rule
Present since 1872, the monks respect the rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia, a religious who lived in the VIth century. He said: "Nothing will be more important to us than God's work". True to his rule, he decided to create his own community of men, self-supporting in a limited space, never turning away from the search for God. The concept of the "monasterium" is then born. Saint Benedict then wrote a rule to organize monastic life in detail: the frequency of the offices, spiritual reading in a climate of reserve and silence, but also manual labor and daily life (meals, habitation, welcome,....).
Neo-Gothic architecture
The whole is a beautiful architectural neo-Gothic example very widespread in the region. This style, typical of the 19th century, aims to revive the medieval forms. His architect, Jean-Baptiste de Béthune, played a central role in his development in Belgium. He was romantically inclined and convinced that he should convey to the people his Catholic devotion through a revaluation of the art of the Middle Ages, a leading period for the Catholic religion.
Ceiling
Nearby
Circuit
The new Benedictine abbeys
Detours and other pilgrimages in Namur (loop 2) - Two Benedictine abbeys in the heart of the Molignée valley welcome visitors every day. You will find beer, illuminations but above all tranquility...
