The JCI EC Bruges 2022 will take place in picturesque Bruges, where numerous monuments are part of the architectural world heritage. It is therefore an absolute must to visit the Saint Godelieve’s Abbey.
This abbey is named after Saint Godelieve or Saint Godelina (1052-1070). As a young obedient and religious girl, she accepted an arranged marriage with Berthold of Gistel. Originally, she wanted to become a nun. Her husband and her family-in-law mistreated her, but Godelieve underwent obediently this treatment. Finally, she was strangled by one of the servants of Berthold, who could not bear that his wife was so devout.
Benedictine nuns from Gistel settled themselves already in 1623 in this place. Some years later an austere brick monastery was built.
We can already announce good news if you are interested in medieval architectural and religious monuments, because the abbey opened this summer its doors for the first time in 400 years. 15 000 visitors could contemplate the listed chapel, the entrance building and the south wing. In the chapel the Baroque altar, the pulpit and the choir stalls in carved wood could be preserved almost intact.
After a large-scale survey in which visitors could participate, the final destination of this cultural site will be decided in 2022.
So be sure to plan a visit to this abbey during the JCI EC Bruges 2022 and book your tickets on the website www.ecbruges.com.
(Source of the pictures: https://www.visitbruges.be/nl/godelieveabdij)
Author
Bart Philips
Team Communications
EC Bruges 2022
