You may recall from a previous post that the abbey which held so much promise was closed on the day that we chose to visit.

Walking towards the buildings, we noticed that everything looked closed, despite the promotional leaflet from the tourist information office and the Abbey Park’s website, saying it should be open! We found that only the museum was open and were informed, ‘You know the Abbey is closed don’t you? There is a guided tour on Sunday afternoon’. We were disappointed to learn this because we were particularly looking forward to seeing the Abbey’s library. However the museum was very interesting, telling the history of the Abbey, the Norbertines and St Norbert.

Norbertine abbey founded in 1129.

The most completely preserved abbey complex in the Netherlands. The Church of Saint John the Evangelist is also a parish church. It is in fact a Romanesque construction but was converted into Baroque style in the 18th century when it was given a tower. The Romanesque portal in the tower was subsequently exposed.

The monastery buildings of the 16th-17th centuries were built on earlier foundations. Splendid relief work in the refectory and library  (end of 17th century).

Monumental gates of 18th century, including Saint John’s gate and Saint Norbert’s gate.

Monastery barn, farm buildings, Provisor’s house, guest quarters, coach house, water mill, 17th and 18th century.*

*From a signboard near the entrance to Abbey Park