Villers Abbey is an ancient Cistercian abbey located in the town of Villers-la-Ville in the Walloon Brabant province of Wallonia, one piece of the Wallonia's Major Heritage. Founded in 1146, the abbey was abandoned in 1796.
Meanwhile the Province of Wallonia has realized that they have a hidden treasure here and started to renovate and made a real tourist site out of it. Now you have headphones, explanations at each ruin and a map to guide you, in French, Dutch, German and English. The entrance fee has increased a little but is still affordable for everybody. ( 5 €, 7 $)
So I take you through the ruins to give you an idea of what you see.
This is a picture to show you the whole site.
and your guide
The refectory where the monks had their meals
The church
We met a group of young students who made a theatre play in the ruins
an old grave
The bishops residence
and his garden
and a beautiful park all around. There is also a place for picnics with benches and tables.
The ruins are also used for theatre plays, for sound and light concerts, and other activities.
What a very beautiful old place it is! I love to tour places like this, for it gives me a better idea of history than any books or reading possibly could do.
ReplyDeleteThat tour guide looks like a lot of fun! If I were ever lucky enough to be there, I hope I'd get her as a guide ;>))~=! Thanks Gattina -- I really enjoyed the post.
Greateful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :-)
Those pictures of the ruins are just amazing! So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGreat.
ReplyDeleteAmazing place! I missed it during my tour.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to spend a day with the camera there :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ruin. You have taken some excellent photos. I love the angles you have used.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the virtual tour. Such a serene, peaceful place!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a very interesting guiding tour! And for sharing this fantastic photos!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome historic place! And so beautiful! Your captures are superb, Gattina! Fascinating history! I really enjoyed the tour you've taken us on!! Thanks for sharing these!! Hope your week is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of place I like to visit. It reminds me of ancient splendor and old enchanted times...
ReplyDeleteThe perfect place to turn a movie, a thriller through the ruins for example! This is a marvelous place and I had great great time visiting it!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome find! I love to visit places like this.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful time in Amsterdam. Can't wait to see the photos. :)