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Nizelles

The Abbey of Nizelles is situated in Belgium, 15 minutes from Brussels in the Walloon Brabant, it is a late Cistercian foundation set up in 1439 by the monks of Moulins who were looking for a refuge in those times of disorder. Situated in the hollow of a valley, surrounded by woods and fields, the Abbey of Nizelles respects the typical topography of the Cistercian places. A subterranean spring flows towards the well situated in the garden. It supplied the water necessary for the monks then flowed northwards into ponds activating a mill. A fire arose during the winter of 1502-1503, which resulted in the total destruction of the buildings. The abbey was reconstructed thanks to donations and the new church in November, 1506. In October, 1782, Joseph II thought seriously of eliminating the purely contemplative orders and it was possible that that of Cîteaux were included among them. The threat was put into effect by the decree of March 17th, 1783. The abbey of Nizelles officially stopped existing on April 19th, 1784. The XXth century ended when fate guided the count Eric d'Humilly de Chevilly to the Abbey of Nizelles, once more abandoned and in sad state. He immediately fell under the charm of the site, and acquired it on December 22nd, 1999. Since then he has not stopped restoring it. In his own words, A real reason for being. The Abbey of Nizelles is a private property and is open to the public only within the framework of private events.