Attractions and Places To See in Cuesta Van Het Waasland Te Waasmunster - Top 18

Ortegat Castle, also known as Waasmunster Castle, Vermeulen Castle (after the builder), 'De Bulck' Castle (after its location), "Engelse hof" (popular name referring to the English-style landscape park), "De Wal" (a reference to an aspect of the castle domain). According to a map from 1639 showing the territory around Roosenberg Abbey, the plot opposite the abbey's access drive was known as den bulck. In 1797, Albertus Livinus Vermeulen (1767-1820), the son of a mayor of Lokeren, bought a piece of the grounds of the dissolved abbey. He then commissioned the construction of the castle and in 1813 or earlier this was completed to a design by Jean-Baptiste Dubois. After Albertus' death, his nephew Jean-Baptiste Vermeulen became the new owner and he further expanded the castle domain. From around 1900 the castle was inhabited by the Ortegat family and in 1919 it came into their possession and became known as Ortegat Castle or Waasmunster Castle. Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

The name of the avenue refers to the former Boudelo Abbey, a Cistercian abbey in nearby Klein-Sinaai. The abbey, the most important abbey in Waasland in the late Middle Ages, was a daughter foundation of Cambron Abbey. After the monastic community was expelled from Waasland, the abbey briefly flourished again in Ghent. For those who know Ghent, the name "Baudelo" (with "au") undoubtedly rings a bell, among other things because of the Baudelo chapel (where "Holy Food" was located for a while) and - especially - because of the famous Baudolo park (officially actually "Baudelohof").

The abbey church is freely accessible. Be sure to step inside! The interior, just like the building itself, was designed by Hans van der Laan, and is downright unique in its sleek and sober design. Also note the mural on the back wall. It is a work by Théodore Stravinsky, son of the (equally deeply religious) Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Anyone who - like me during my visit - can get past the painting further into the abbey will get an idea of how this modern building (it dates from 1975) is essentially constructed according to the classical abbey structure, with galleries around a square garden. You will also be shown a model of the building.

The last Sister of Franciscus left the abbey almost ten years ago; the building and garden have since been purchased by Herita, the National Trust of Flanders, which manages and restores valuable historical sites in Flanders. Among others, the Abbey of Herkenrode, the castles of Horst, Laarne and Beauvoorde, the Palace on the Meir, Fort Napoleon and the mill of Hoeke are under their management. see: herita.be

In 2021, Natuurpunt purchased 16 hectares of the forest area around the Roosenberg Abbey from the Mariazusters van Franciscus (who lived in the abbey until 2016). The forest, now called 'De Ketelbossen', consists mainly of pines, oaks and birches. Squirrels, deer, crested tits, black woodpeckers, pied flycatchers and the barbastelle bat, which is rare in Flanders, live there. The forest is only accessible to hikers. Sources: Natuurpunt & Wikipedia

Even though Roosenberg Abbey in Waasmunster is no longer inhabited by nuns, the building remains a gem of a contemporary Gesamtkunstwerk. By the hand of the Dutch Benedictine architect Hans van der Laan. Dom Hans van der Laan (1904-1991) occupies a prominent place in the religious architecture of the 20th century. With a limited number of buildings in the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, he is one of the exceptional architects who made a fundamental contribution to church building. His masterpiece is undoubtedly the monastery complex near Vaals, where he spent a large part of his life and where he was buried. But Roosenberg Abbey is also still a rare and intact example of a contemporary Gesamtkunstwerk. The expressive architecture is composed on a mathematical basis. Purity of form, simplicity and a rhythmic spatial arrangement allow you to experience a poignant beauty and tranquility. Space and form play with inside and outside, open and closed. (Kerknet Vlaanderen)

From the start, the abbey was owned by Victorians or Canonesses Regular of Saint Victor who lived according to the rule of Saint Augustine. In the 1970s, because of fewer vocations, they merged with the Marian Sisters of Francis and continued to work under that name. The third and current abbey has been located on Oudeheerweg-Heide since 1975. Source: Wikipedia

Walk of hiking club Roosenberg Waasmunster