Roosendael

Roosendael (Valley of Roses) was a Cistercian nuns' abbey founded around 1225. It has had periods of prosperity, but also times of spiritual and material decay. The first abbey complex was plundered and destroyed during the religious wars of the 16th century. After reconstruction in the 17th century the abbey entered a new era of prosperity, as the remaining 18th century buildings show us even today. During the French Revolution, in 1796, the abbey was abolished and sold. The new owners proceeded to demolish most of the abbey's buildings. A landscape park was laid out with the abbess's residence being transformed into a classic style ‘Château'. This was destroyed in 1914. In 1920 a country house was constructed on the foundations of the former abbey's guest house. In 1958, the last private owner died. The domain was donated to the church with a testamentary declaration that it should be used as a youth center. Since then, Roosendael has been a youth hostel. Several abbey buildings have survived, the impressive gatehouse (circa 1777), large sections of the boundary walls, the coach house (circa 1781), the so-called ‘plague house' (circa 16th century), and a listed ice cellar built in the 19th century. The whole property is listed as an historical heritage site. Between 1995 and 2009 all the buildings were restored and are still being used as part of the youth centre. The ruins of the ‘Château', the former abbess's residence, were consolidated and re-used as meeting and exhibition rooms.
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