Een nieuwe toekomst voor een eeuwenoude erfgoedsite

De restauratie en herbestemming van de norbertijnenabdij van Park-Heverlee/Leuven

Samenvatting

A New Future for a Historic Heritage Site: the Restoration and Conversion of the Premonstratensian Park Abbey in Heverlee/Leuven

Park Abbey in Heverlee/Leuven is one of Flanders’ most significant monuments with a long and fascinating history. It is a place where buildings and scenery fuse into perfect harmony. The abbey is situated in lush green surroundings with farmlands, country lanes and ponds right on the outskirts of Leuven. The name is derived from the hunting grounds that once belonged to Duke Godfrey I, the Bearded. In 1129, the Duke donated these grounds to the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey of Laon in northern France with the explicit wish that an abbey should be founded there.

Park Abbey is, therefore, a Premonstratensian abbey, which is different in character from abbeys and convents belonging to other religious orders. The Premonstratensian Order was established in 1120 by Norbertus van Gennep (1080-1134), whose monastic rule dated back to the time of St. Augustine and his canons. In the following years, several other abbeys were founded on what is now Belgian territory (within the boundaries of the former Duchy of Brabant), as well as in France, Germany and Austria. Before the French Revolution, the domain consisted of approximately 3500 ha, which was at that time the entire surface area of the Duchy of Brabant. The Abbey also served 16 parishes, which was a typical element of the Premonstratensian rule and spirituality. Unfortunately, only 42 ha of the domain remain.

Although the site is now considerably reduced in size, it is an outstanding historic monument, which still possesses all the components of the Ancien Régime Abbey. The integrity of the complex – since the end of the eighteenth century nothing has been added or removed – makes Park Abbey one the best-preserved abbeys in Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a unique heritage site of exceptional value in terms of buildings, culture and scenery. The first and foremost purpose of the restoration and conversion was, therefore, to keep the aura and atmosphere of the site intact. This is also the guiding principle of all our sponsors and partners.

In order to allow restoration to proceed, the Premonstratensian monks leased the entire site to the City of Leuven on 22 September 2011 for 99 years. Restoration was started by the City of Leuven in 2012 and will be completed in 2020. According to the master plan and the landscape conservation plan, the unique character of the site will be preserved. In addition, by 2020 the museum of religious art and culture in Flanders will be further expanded, and a small community of monks will always be allowed residence in the abbey. The public will be granted access to the site.