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The 18th century reconstruction project of the Abbey of Forest-Vorst documented by archaeology and dendrochronology

Following the example of other monasteries and under the pretext of a fire that destroyed part of its buildings in March 1764, the Abbey of Forest-Vorst underwent a major renovation campaign in the second half of the 18th century. This was carried out by Laurent-Benoît Dewez, court architect of the Austrian Netherlands. His large-scale project included the development of a vast horseshoe-shaped main courtyard framed by imposing volumes and closed off to the north by an abbey palace. The work was carried out between 1764 and 1767, but was never completed. How can we understand this major construction project and the new functioning of the abbey envisaged by the nuns? Why was the project never completed? Through the archaeological and dendrochronological research carried out on the site in recent years, the 18th century architecture of the Abbey of Forest-Vorst is revealed.

Collaboration Urban, Royal Museums of Art and History, Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage & Commune of Forest_Vorst/ABY

Information

Date of tour: Sunday 18/06/2023

Address: Abbaye de Forest – Abdij van Vorst, place Saint-Denis-Sint-Denijsplein, 1190 Forest-Vorst

Meeting Point: In front of the ABY buvette

Maximum 20 persons per guided tour (free, booking compulsory)

Not accessible for PRM for the part of the visit of the roof truss

 

Schedule of guided tours :

Attention: guided tours only in French

Duration: 1 hour

09.30 (FR)

11.00 (FR)

14.00 (FR)