Introduction
Understanding the place
Sint Agatha is considered the oldest still inhabited monastery in the Netherlands and also hosts the Dutch Monastic Heritage Centre.
To be retained
- Monastery inhabited since the 14th century
- Order of the Cruisers
- National monastic heritage
- Garden and library
History and context
Cruisers settled in the 14th century near Cuijk. Despite wars, Reformation and restrictions imposed on Catholics, the community maintained a presence. The complex gathered church, cloister, garden, library and collections from many orders.
Why is this place spiritual?
The continuity of the site shows a spirituality that is less spectacular than daily: office, study, hospitality and conservation. The archives make visible the diversity of the Dutch religious communities.
What the landscape makes you feel
The enclosed garden and brick buildings invite you to slow down. The heritage visit must remain compatible with the privacy of the community still present.
Energy, atmosphere and feelings
The calm comes from the duration, the garden and the coherence of the spaces. The spiritual value is historical and lived rather than energetic.
Discover with respect
- Respect the private parts of the monastery.
- Check the visit times.
- Do not reduce the site to a picturesque survival.
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