Abbey of Our Lady of Tongerlo
Tongerlo Abbey is the perfect place for a cultural and religious trip. Founded around 1130 on the initiative of Giselbert van Castelre, over the centuries it has grown from a small abbey to one of the most influential educational centers with a unique library. Both the activities of the Calvinists in the 17th century and the French Revolution in the 18th century had a negative impact on the abbey. In the year 1929 a huge fire destroyed most of the buildings. The youngest confreres found shelter within the walls of the Leffe monastery, thus contributing to the revival of this Walloon Norbertines order.
Tongerlo architecture
Entering the main gate to the abbey, we pass the classicist abbot's house on the right. Its construction began in 1724. The neighboring building is the bishop's house, which was erected from 1547 according to the plans of master Rombout Keldermans. On the north side of the courtyard is the abbey church. This neo-Gothic temple was built in the years 1852-1858. Its façade adjoins the monastery buildings from 1847 on one side and the meeting house (1927-1928) on the other. In 1999, the temple was reopened after more than 5 years of renovation.
A copy of the painting The Last Supper
In the church, it is worth paying attention to the beautiful stained glass windows, the oak stalls in the choir from 1957, and the Klais organ from 1933. In the side chapel there are relics of Saint Siardus, the Norbertine abbot of Mariëngaarde Abbey in Friesland (1194-1230).
For the 1545 year, Tongerlo Abbey has been in possession of the most exact and beautiful replica of the Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the dining room of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent in Milan. It reveals many details which, due to the destruction, are no longer visible in the original fresco. A copy of this outstanding work hangs above the entrance to the temple.
For the 1545 year, Tongerlo Abbey has been in possession of the most exact and beautiful replica of the Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the dining room of the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent in Milan. It reveals many details which, due to the destruction, are no longer visible in the original fresco. A copy of this outstanding work hangs above the entrance to the temple.
Tongerlo beer
Until 1914, the abbey had its own brewery where Tongerlo beer was brewed. During World War I, the Germans confiscated the copper brewhouses, preventing further operation of the brewery. In 1954, beer production was resumed in the city of Geel. Currently, Tongerlo is produced by the Haacht brewery in Boortmeerbeek. In 2014, Tongerlo blond beer won the title of the best beer in the world without division into categories.