Abbey & Nature
The Abbey of Achel, a neo-Gothic oasis.
The Achelse Kluis breathes history. Over the centuries, its inhabitants changed, and it was build, restored, and expanded. The result is a unique complex where various Gothic styles and magnificent structures are present. The Achelse Kluis has five important periods:
- 1656 – Pastor Tielens establishes the rectory and border chapel.
- 1686 – Petrus van Eijatten purchases the rectory and the land. He then establishes a brotherhood community there. From now on, it is known as the Achelse Kluis.
- 18th century – The prosperous period of the hermits in the 18th century lasts until the French Revolution.
- 19th century – The Trappists take over the Kluis in the 19th century. They settle there and revive the Catholic tradition. The Kluis expands to such an extent that in 1871, it is elevated from a monastery to an abbey.
- End of WWII – The grand construction plans for the new Abbey are realized.
Dive into the rich history of the Kluis, complemented by gorgeous pictures.
The beautiful nature surrounding The Achelse Kluis.
The Achelse Kluis is located on the border of the Belgian Hamont-Achel and the Dutch Leende, amidst a vast nature reserve with fields, forests and heathland.
The Kluis is the ideal starting point for a walk or bike ride through the Leenderbos, the Groote Heide, or along the Beverbeekse Heide. This nature reserve spans a total of 7,000 hectares. The city of Hamont-Achel, along with De Groote Heide, Valkenswaard, and The Achelse Kluis, has created an inspiration point in the gateway building of The Achelse Kluis. This inspiration point serves as the entrance to the nature domain and tells the history of The Achelse Kluis and the surrounding nature area.
After your walk or bike ride, you can recharge at the Abbey’s brasserie. Enjoy our Achel Abbey beers, delicious hot meals, and the famous Limburg pies.
Behind-the-scenes tour of The Achelse Kluis
Since the departure of the last monks in 2020, the Abbey has been uninhabited. When the monks were still present, it was forbidden to enter the walls of the Abbey unless invited by the monks themselves. Between 2020 and early 2023, guided tours were given by the staff of the Saint Benedict Abbey. Since early 2023, after the takeover by the Tormans family, the guided tours have been expanded to include professional historical guides and a degustation.
