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Tongerlo Abbey, Belgium
. . . THIS MAY TAKE A MOMENT OR TWO . . .
This is an older aerial photograph of the abbey grounds. |
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Here another, longer range, aerial view, (also more recent) -- showing the entire abbey "enclosure". Note the Abbey Church at center, and the main gate into the complex at lower right. The moat is visible in the front as a "black line". |
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This is a general view of the abbey grounds from the outside. | |
This is a closeup of the protective wall built around part of the Abbey Grounds. | |
The tree-lined entry road into the abbey complex. | |
A street level view of the tree lined entryway into the Abbey. | |
Pasture which flanks one side of the tree lined entryway. The other side is a series of convenient parking lots for visitors. |
This is a wide view of the main gate, taken from the middle of the cow pasture outside the abbey wall. |
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Another view of the gatehouse, a bit closer this time, also showing some of the moat. | |
Main gate shown from outside the abbey. To the left in this photo would be the pasture, to the right the series of parking lots. | |
A view of the wall and moat surrounding most of the abbey complex. | |
This is a closeup of the main Gate area from inside the abbey. | |
A "very close view" of main gate from the inside, showing clearly the "carraige" gate and the "pedestrian" gate. | |
Wider view of the gate house area. | |
What you see immediately after walking through the main gate of the Abbey. The inner courtyard, showing at far left the water tower, mid-left the retreat house, and center-right, the Abbey Church. |
This is the Abbot's Residence building, which now serves as a museum, housing among other things Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper". |
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A bit of a wider view of the building above showing its relation to other buildings within the complex. The abbey gatehouse is at right in this photo. | |
Hand laid cobbles within the abbey grounds (right in front of the Abbot's Residence building. | |
More cobbles laid in a "sunburst" pattern near the center of the Abbey grounds. | |
The residence building on the Abbey grounds, showing the main door where "guests" enter to get to the reception and office area.. | |
Another view of the residence building. | |
The water tower, with the carpentry shop on its left. | |
The water fountain which is close to the water tower, above. The abbey's gift shop (open 10 a.m. to 4 pm.) is directly behind the photographer. | |
View of residence apartments for retreatants. | |
A closer look at the present-day Retreat House, a magnificently restored medieval barn housing a museum of Norbertine presence throughout the world. Note the Statue of Madonna and Child on the side wall. | |
Here is a closer look (also with the ivy in bloom) at the Madonna and Child on the Retreat House wall. | |
Another view of the "barn / museum" with the Abbey Church in the background. | |
Service buildings, work buildings and conference rooms. | |
Service building. | |
Interior cloister area. | |
Refectory, note the paintings on the walls at left and in the background...extremely interesting from an historical perspective. | |
Portrait gallery in the Abbot's Residence. | |
Hallway area, residence building. | |
The "new garden" area. | |
Abbey Church. | |
Another view of the Abbey Church. | |
Inside the Abbey Church -- perspective from an aisle. | |
Vaulting in Abbey Church ceiling. | |
View of stained glass window at rear of Abbey Church. | |
Closeup of Our Lady of Tongerlo. | |
View of apse / choir end of the Abbey Church. | |
Closer view of main altar in Abbey Church | |
Reliquary of St. Siard in Abbey Church. | |
View toward rear of Abbey Church from the Cantor's area in the choir. | |
Choir view. | |
Looking directly up from the Abbot's chair in the choir. | |
Organ pipes detail within the choir. | |
View of main altar from the choir. | |
Stained glass window in trancept. | |
Another stained glass window in trancept. | |
Lector platform. | |
View of an aisle from the Nave. | |
The second Lector platform. | |
Yet another beautiful stained glass window in one of the aisles.. | |
Doorway directly from the Abbey Church to the Residence building through which the confreres process into the church during liturgies. | |
Glass "vestibule" at entry into the church. Although this photo does not show it, this glass contains etchings of significant Coats of Arms relating to the history of the house. | |
View from the steps of the Abbey Church. | |
Animal enclosure within the abbey grounds, a welcome island of peace and repose. | |
Baby rabbits explore their world! | |
More baby rabbits! | |
And more! | |
A restored "Flemish kitchen." |