Postel Abbey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Abbey of Postel is a Premonstratensian abbey in the Belgian municipality Mol.
Contents |
[edit] History
In 1138 monks from the Floreffe Abbey founded the abbey of Postel. In 1613 Postel became a proosdij, and in 1618 Postel obtained the status of abbey. In 1797, the monks had to leave the abbey during the French revolutionary period, when French troops invaded the Austrian Netherlands. In 1847, the monks could return to the abbey. Since then the abbey was restored in several phases. From 1943, until the end of World War II, Herman Van Breda hid part of the manuscripts of Edmund Husserl (Husserl Archives) in the abbey.
[edit] Architecture
The abbey church has been built in Rhineland Romanesque style and dates supposedly from the end of the 12th century (1190). In later times the church has been rebuilt several times, as a result of which the building shows some characteristics of Gothic and Baroque styles. The abbey was surrounded by walls, and partially surrounded by ditches.
[edit] Products of the abbey
Traditionally, the abbey of Postel produces Postel, beer of the abbey. This beer is no longer brewed within the abbey of Postel, but in a commercial brewer in Opwijk. The abbey also produces cheese. Since 1994, the monks also exploit a botanical garden of medicinal plants, where they cultivate Ginseng.
