The abbey in Villers la Ville (Cistercienzers) was
founded in 1147. Et was closed after the French Revolution (1797), after which it was
used for recuperation of stones, and was given back to nature.
The construction of the three-aisled church started in
1208. The choir and the transept are
amongst the oldest examples of Gothic in Brabant. They were ready in
about 1220. The nave itself was finished in 1255. A
remaktable detail are the coupled windows with rounded arch
with bullions. The choir is not illuminated yet by long
twolight windows under lancets (see f.e. Our
Lady in Leuven), but between the buttresses there are
lancets and oculi above eachother.
Around 1250, on the south side, a refectory was built, of which still a lot remains.
This was a thwo-ailsed area, under cross ribvoauling under a
saddleback roof . The remainders of the kitchen contain a cooking place
and an area to store food.
The area for the visitors, also built around 1250, had a large sleeping area under a
large wooden tunnel vault.
Those ruins are amongst the most prestigious ones in Europa!
Vilma Radvilaite: 'This place is incredible, beautiful, even magic!!! I recommend
it to everyone who likes 'old times' and nature. '
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