Maredsous Abbey, Denée, Belgium - SpottingHistory.com

Maredsous Abbey was founded in 1872 by Beuron Abbey in Germany. The foundation was supported financially by the Desclée family, who paid for the design and construction of the spectacular buildings, which are the masterwork of the architect Jean-Baptiste de Béthune (1831–1894), leader of the neo-gothic style in Belgium. The overall plan is based on the 13th century Cistercian abbey of Villers at Villers-la-Ville in Walloon Brabant. The frescos however were undertaken by the art school of the mother-house at Beuron, much against the will of Béthune and Desclée, who dismissed the Beuron style as 'Assyrian-Bavarian'. Construction was finished in 1892.

Maredsous Abbey is also known for the production of Maredsous cheese. It is a loaf-shaped cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese is lightly pressed, then washed in brine to create the firm, orange crust and pungent aroma. The abbey also licenses its name to Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat, since 1963 the makers of Maredsous beer.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Laia Casals Escolà (2 years ago)
Nice place, but usually crowded.

Renier Schwarzer (2 years ago)
Beautiful abbey an excellent beer, que for food a bit troublesome

Robert Wastyn (2 years ago)
Great location and very good beer. One of the best relaxing moments and Corona proof

bassam sheer (2 years ago)
Great place to have a short day trip. There is a play ground for kids as well. Inside there is a mini restaurant, you can buy drinks and food. There are many bicycle routes that goes to there for biking lovers.

Franky goes green (2 years ago)
clean environment, nice free parking....great walks. Nice well maintained building. Artisanal shops. Good cheese and beer from abbey.

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The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village. Settlement here began sometime between 500 and 200 BC. At the centre of the settlement is a stone tower or broch, which once probably reached a height of around 10 metres. Its interior is divided into sections by upright slabs. The tower features two skins of drystone walls, with stone-floored galleries in between. These are accessed by steps. Stone ledges suggest that there was once an upper storey with a timber floor. The roof would have been thatched, surrounded by a wall walk linked by stairs to the ground floor. The broch features two hearths and a subterranean stone cistern with steps leading down into it. It is thought to have some religious significance, relating to an Iron Age cult of the underground.

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In the 9th century, a Norse woman was buried at the site in a stone-lined grave with two bronze brooches and a sickle and knife made from iron. Other finds suggest that Norse men were buried here too.

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