- Address: Abdijstraat 30-40, Westerlo, Belgium
- Phone: +32 014 53 99 00
- Website: www.tongerlo.org
- Date of founding: 1130.
If on your trip to Belgium you have reached such a town as Westerlo, then you can safely be called an outstanding traveler. On its streets you will not find crowds of tourists, there are no screaming buildings and monuments, and the local population lives in a quiet and measured pace. But there is still one place in the vicinity of Westerlo, which is definitely worth a visit. It is the Abbey of Tongerlo, the monastery of the Order of Catholic Premonstratens.
What is interesting about Tongerlo Abbey?
The monastery was founded in 1130. Its first inhabitants were monks from the abbey of St. Michael in Antwerp . Over time, the modest monastery changed, becoming one of the most influential religious organizations and an educational center, since the local library at that time possessed a huge number of books. However, in 1790, the abbey was seized, and the monks were expelled. And only after 1838 the monastery revived and opened its doors to the suffering. At the end of the 20th century, a large-scale restoration was carried out here.
Today Tongarlo Abbey is pleased to welcome tourists. Initially, visitors are met by a wonderful alley of lindens, whose age reaches more than 300 years. The monastery itself has such an invaluable relic as the best copy of the fresco "Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. This canvas has been preserved here since the 16th century and is the pearl of the museum, which is named after the great creator and is located directly in the Tongerlo Abbey building. By the way, the creation of the copy was insisted by Leonardo da Vinci himself, because he feared that the fresco in the Milan monastery would not stand the test of time. She was made the disciples of the great creator, and later this particular canvas served as a model for the restoration of the original.
In addition to the above advantages, attract tourists to the Abbey of Tongerlo in Belgium , and a thirst to try the local beer, which brews the Haacht brewery. It was founded in the XIX century and produces more than a dozen varieties of this wonderful drink. What is remarkable, the brewery uses only natural ingredients and brews beer according to old recipes and traditions, preferring to make a quality drink, albeit in small quantities.
How to get there?
Not far from Tongerlo Abbey there is the Dreef Abdij stop, which can be reached by bus N540.
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