Val-Saint-Lambert Abbey

Val-Saint-Lambert Abbey was a Cistercian abbey in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The foundation of the abbey is attributed to Hugues de Pierrepont, Bishop of Liège. The construction began in 1202 after he gave a tract of land and woods situated in what was then called the Champ des Maures to a group of monks. The abbey was a daughter house of Signy Abbey in Ardennes, France.

Val-Saint-Lambert Abbey was inhabited by a religious community for centuries; it prospered and became powerful. The abbey's chateau served as the summer palace of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. The abbot Simon de Harlez began an expansion project in 1750, funded by his coal earnings. It was completed before 1796 when the monks were expelled as a result of the French Revolution, at which time the buildings were demolished and the holdings were sold as public goods. In 1825, the abbey ruins were purchased by the chemist François Kemlin and the engineer Auguste Lelièvre, who converted the building into a glass works. Since 1826, it has been used by the crystal manufacturer Val-Saint-Lambert. In 1846, Val Saint-Lambert merged with the Société Anonyme des Manufactures de Glaces.

Several original buildings from the ancient abbey remain, such as the 13th century Chapter House and the 17th century House of Outsiders chateau, built in Mosan style, which houses the crystal museum. The 18th century abbey entrance serves as Seraing's Tourist Information Office. The structure is considered to be an important example of Cistercian architecture as well as Gothic architectural development in Belgium.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Cour du val 1, Seraing, Belgium

Details

Founded: 1202
Category: Religious sites in Belgium