Landscape of Belgium

  Abbey d’Aulne 

The Cistercian abbey ruins of Alder are in Gozée, near the Belgian city of Thuin.

  This is a special day for Ganja, the Maltese my sister. We walk on the towpath along the Sambre (Belgium river), the sun is at the rendezvous.  

The abbey is hidden in a steep valley on the right bank of the River Sambre called the "Valley of Peace". Today the remains are a haven of peace and a perfect place for a walk.

The Aulne Abbey is a Cistercian abbey which has its origin in the Benedictine monastery founded in 657 by St. Landelin.

In 1147, the abbey of Alder became Cistercian and experiencing unprecedented prosperity in its history, is one of the most powerful abbeys of the Principality of Liege.

The fifteenth century is a century black. On several occasions, the monks must flee to protect confrontations between Liege and troops of the Dukes. The abbey suffers whenever considerable damage.

In 1794 the abbey was destroyed by French revolutionaries.

The monks then redeem the abbey and are transformed into nursing home dwelling of the body previously reserved to the abbot

In 1875, a church was built on the site of the former entrance to the abbey. First the use of the nursing home, she then became the parish church of the village of Alder.

Many festivities take place in the Abbey, concerts, exhibitions, flea markets, the agricultural festival, courses, etc .. discoveries

They make a special beer

Sambre slowly flowing between green banks, ducks advantage with their small thriving banks.

The fish breed easily and can fish for pike, perch, roach, bream, pike perch and especially the pike.

That Ganja will quench their thirst in the water, at first he was afraid and I have to push a little.

This beautiful day was over, we return to our home, tired but happy.