{"id":5120,"date":"2025-01-12T16:19:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T15:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledomainedestroistilleuls.be\/discovering-villers-la-ville-abbey-and-the-surrounding-area\/"},"modified":"2025-02-20T21:48:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T20:48:11","slug":"discovering-villers-la-ville-abbey-and-the-surrounding-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledomainedestroistilleuls.be\/en\/discovering-villers-la-ville-abbey-and-the-surrounding-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Villers-la-Ville Abbey and the surrounding area"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Villers-la-Ville Abbey, a jewel of Belgian heritage, is a place where history and nature intertwine harmoniously. This exceptional site<\/a>, steeped in almost nine centuries of history, invites visitors on a journey through time and serenity. Situated in the heart of Walloon Brabant, the abbey is a must for lovers of culture, architecture and nature. Why not extend this experience by staying in authentic surroundings at the Domaine des Trois Tilleuls<\/a>, ideally located nearby? <\/p>\n\n

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A journey through time: the history of Villers-la-Ville Abbey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Founded in 1146 by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux, Villers-la-Ville Abbey has left its mark on the history of the region over the centuries. As early as 1147, Bernard de Clairvaux himself visited the young community, bearing witness to the spiritual importance of the place. Construction of the abbey began in 1197, initially in the Romanesque style before moving on to the Gothic, a monumental project that lasted almost a century. <\/p>\n\n

In the XIII\u1d49 century, the abbey experienced its first golden age under the abbatiate of Arnulphe de Gistelles, housing up to 100 monks and 300 converses, and owning almost 10,000 hectares of land. However, between the XVI\u1d49 and XVII\u1d49 centuries, the abbey suffered the ravages of invasion and conflict, forcing the monks to abandon it on nine occasions for safety reasons. <\/p>\n\n

The XVIII\u1d49 century marked a revival for the abbey, with the construction of neoclassical buildings, including the abbot’s palace and its gardens, symbolising a second golden age. Unfortunately, the French Revolution led to the dissolution of the monastic community in 1796, followed by the sacking and pillaging of the abbey, which was subsequently sold as national property and gradually dismantled. <\/p>\n\n

In the XIX\u1d49 century, the abbey ruins became a source of inspiration for the Romantics, attracting figures such as Victor Hugo, who visited on several occasions in the 1860s.<\/p>\n\n

Today, Villers Abbey has been classified as an exceptional heritage site in Wallonia since 1992, preserving a remarkable 50,000 m\u00b2 of walls and 5,000 m\u00b2 of Romanesque and Gothic vaults, making it one of the largest archaeological complexes in Belgium.<\/p>\n\n

These key moments illustrate the resilience and historical importance of Villers-la-Ville Abbey, offering visitors a living testimony to the architectural and spiritual evolution of the region…<\/p>\n\n

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A historic connection with the Vieux Ch\u00e2telet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

The history of Villers-la-Ville Abbey is closely linked to that of Vieux Ch\u00e2telet, the seat of the Seigneurie de Marbais. In 1146, the lord of Marbais himself offered the Cistercian monks the land on which the abbey would be founded. Situated at the crossroads of the Thyle and Mellery rivers, the land offered a number of natural advantages that were essential for the monks to set up their monastery: an abundance of water to feed their crops, power their mills and provide for the monastery’s needs; schist rock used in the construction of the abbey buildings; and vast forests providing the wood needed for daily life and construction work. <\/p>\n\n

The Vieux Ch\u00e2telet, just a few kilometres away, played a central role in the development of the region. This XIII\u1d49 century fortified site bears witness to the alliance between spirituality and seigniorial power, the two institutions having contributed together to structuring the economy and landscape of Villers-la-Ville. Staying at the Domaine des Trois Tilleuls, set on the historic site of the Vieux Ch\u00e2telet, offers a unique immersion in this shared heritage, between Cistercian and feudal heritage. <\/p>\n\n

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A must-see: the wonders of Villers-la-Ville Abbey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Villers-la-Ville Abbey offers a fascinating insight into Cistercian history and spirituality. Its different areas, remarkably well preserved, reveal the breadth and richness of medieval monastic life. Here are the places not to be missed during your visit. <\/p>\n\n

The abbey church<\/a>: majesty and light<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The abbey church, completed in the 13th\u1d49 century, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. At 94 metres long and 23 metres high, it impresses with its proportions and the finesse of its details. <\/p>\n\n