Tongerlo Travel Guide

 OlafS Says:  The bishop's house? In an abbey? Yes, that's a bit strange considering the fact that an abbey is an autonomous community that doesn't belong to a diocese. But in 1559 the abbey became, under protest, temporarily part of the diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, and the bishop was... 

 OlafS Says:  The church is a neo-Gothic building from 1852-1858, designed by architect P. Stoop. It replaced a Gothic church that was destroyed by the French in the late 19th century. It has a facade of natural stone while the rest is made of brick. The interior is overwhelmingly white. 

 OlafS Says:  The gate was built in different periods. The lower part, with the "stripes", is in Romanesque style and dates from the 14th century. The upper part, with stepped gables, is Gothic and is from the 16th century. 

 filipdebont Says:  Nowadays the Tiend-shed is used as a permanent exposition Hall.Inside you can see a wall filled with pictures of the Norbertines who live (and lived in this Abbey. You can also see a scaled model of the Abbey. (Picture of this model in a previous tip).You also can see an... 

 filipdebont Says:  The workshops date from the 17th century.There is a small water tower which provides the Abbey with water.There was a wood shop, and in these buildings the famous and delicious Abbey beer was made.On the picture you can see one of the Norbertines (dressed in white), which... 

 filipdebont Says:  The wall near the entrance of the shed (1618) is almost completely covered with ivy. And in the middle of this green wall, you can see a beautiful Madonna statue.So at the east house front, you can see a beautiful white Madonna, made in Avesnes stone. It dates from 1422. 

 filipdebont Says:  The Tiend-shed or Boerenkrijg-shed (war of the farmers) was built in 1618.This shed is built in a brick and sand stone style. It was restored in 1993 - 94.Nowadays it is used as a permanent exposition hall.There is no entrance fee. If you enter, do not forget to look up,... 

 filipdebont Says:  Almost in the middle of the courtyard, you can see a small shed, the Tiend-shed. This shed is built in 1618 (under Abbot A. Stalpaerts (1608 - 29). It was used as a grain shed.This shed is also named the Boerenkrijgschuur (the farmer's war shed) as this shed was used by the... 

 filipdebont Says:  The Church of the Abbey of Tongerlo is built in 1851 - 1858 and is designed by the Antwerp architect Paul Stoop.It is built in a neo-gothic style. The tower is 75 m height, and was rebuilt in 1929 by architect Lamy, after a fire.When I visited the Abbey of Tongerlo, there... 

 filipdebont Says:  Next to the Abbots House you can see the Bishop's House.It was built by Rombout Keldermans in 1547 in a Flemish Renaissance style.They used Brabant bricks to build it and the building has a nice small tower.It was the lodging place for the bishops of 's-Hertogenbos.Nowadays... 

 filipdebont Says:  The abbots House was built in 1725 and is made of Gobertange stones.It was Abbot J. van der Achten who gave the order to build this beautiful building.In the triangle fronton you can see a blazon. It is the blazon and the slogan of Abbot J. van der Achten.This prelate... 

 filipdebont Says:  The first building you see on the right hand side is the Abbots House. It dates from 1724.It is built in a classical baroque style and is designed by Willem Ignatius Kerrickx.Via the entrance gate of the Abbots House you can go to the Abbots garden and the Da Vinci Museum.... 

 filipdebont Says:  Once you have passed the entrance gate, you have a great overview over the big courtyard.Starting on the right you see the Abbots house with the Abbot's garden and the Da Vinci museum. Next to the abbot’s house, you see the Bishops house, then the Abbey Church. Central you... 

 filipdebont Says:  The old Coach House dates from the 17th century, and is completely restored and used since 1999 as a bookshop.De Oude Linden (name of the shop) is now the Abbey book shop and the Centre for priesthood and liturgy. Books for Children and Adults (fiction, non-fiction, art,... 

 filipdebont Says:  The Abbey farm in the Abbey of Tongerlo dates from 1640 (under Abbot D. Verbraeken). The former sheep-shed and the cow stables are now used as the abbey shop. They named it - De Oude Hoeve - (the old farm). It was used as a farm till 1974; nowadays it is a shop and a... 

 filipdebont Says:  Because of the weather I decided to do the 110 km roundtrip.This 110 km trip passed via the Abbeys of Tongerlo and Averbode.Journey:- Start in Heppen (near Leopoldsburg)- Oostham (3 km)- Winkelomheide (28 km)- Abbey of Tongerlo (40 km)- Zammel (44 km)- Abbey of Averbode (52...