Postel Abbey

In the northernmost corner of the Belgian municipality of Mol, close to the Dutch border, lies the wooded village of Postel , home to an abbey founded as far back as the twelfth century. The Norbertines have lived there ever since and place great importance on hospitality. The beautiful, centuries-old abbey features guest accommodation, an abbey shop and an information centre.

Postel Abbey is also known for the market stalls that can be found in the car park at weekends, serving delicious chips, snacks and ice creams (the so-called ‘Vetstraat’).  

The history of monastic life in Postel dates back to the 12th century. As early as 1140, a group of monks settled in Postel. They belonged to the order founded by Saint Norbert and were therefore known as Norbertines. In 1190, the stone St Nicholas’ Church was consecrated; it is still in use today. The year 1618 was significant for Postel: it was then that the abbey first became fully independent, under the leadership of Abbot Colibrant. Among other things, this abbot commissioned a long perimeter wall around the abbey and a carillon tower. The spire of the carillon tower still rises above all the other abbey buildings.

Postel Abbey suffered greatly in the aftermath of the French Revolution. The monks were expelled in 1797 and the abbey buildings were confiscated. After an absence of 50 years, the Norbertines were allowed to return to Postel , and a slow process of restoration and extension of the buildings followed.

The 12th-century St Nicholas’ Church is well worth a visit. You can visit the church every day, except during services. Originally, the church was built in the late Romanesque style. However, during the 17th century, it was remodelled in the Gothic style. The interior is austere and rather dark.  Do take particular note of the colourful stained-glass windows. They depict scenes from the life of Saint Norbert.

The main building of Postel Abbey consists of several wings. These were built in various styles over the centuries, which is clearly evident from the façades. The refectory, with its white sandstone façade, is the most striking feature.  However, the refectory is flanked by two other fine façades. To the left of the refectory is the wing housing the abbot’s residence and the guest quarters, built in 1713 but remodelled in the early 20th century in the Neo-Renaissance style. To the right of the refectory, you can see the façade of the chapter house (a room where the monks meet with the abbot), which was also rebuilt in 1908 in the Flemish Neo-Renaissance style.

Much later, in 1960, Gasthof De Beiaard opened its doors, situated within the abbey walls. The Gasthof comprises a restaurant, a tavern and function rooms. This establishment primarily caters to the needs of the many tourists who visit the abbey every day. Finally, in 1968, a modern guesthouse and retreat centre was opened, which is also available for corporate seminars.

In days gone by, outbreaks of infectious diseases occurred more than once. The only thing the monks could do to combat this was to isolate the sick from the rest of the community. That is why small buildings were erected along the curtain wall surrounding the abbey. One of these former ‘plague houses’ was restored in 2006–2007 and is open to the public.

There are several entrance gates in the curtain wall surrounding the abbey. However, the southern entrance gate is the most important. The brick gatehouse was built at the end of the 16th century. Above the gate, you’ll notice three wall crochets, which refer to the abbey’s coat of arms. That coat of arms can also be found above the right-hand door of the gatehouse. In the gateway, you’ll see a stone bench. In the past, the poor used to wait there until they received a ration of food from the monks. Beyond the gate, on the right-hand side, is the current information centre and tourist office.

In September 1994, Postel Abbey began growing herbs. In the early days, the Norbertine monks paid particular attention to the cultivation of ginseng. The abbey now boasts an extensive herb garden, which is open to the public. In the outbuildings of the herb garden, the herbs are processed into all sorts of products, such as creams, tinctures and syrups. You can buy all these products in the abbey shop or order them online via the webshop.

Postel Abbey still has its own herd of cattle and its own cheese dairy. In 1947, the monks began making the typical hard Postel abbey cheese. Over the years, various new types of cheese were added and the cheese dairy gradually became too small. That is why, in 1997, the abbey had a new cheese dairy built with a much larger capacity. There is also a traditional Postel Abbey beer. This is no longer brewed by the monks themselves, but by an external brewery. You can buy the various Postel Abbey cheeses and the abbey beer in the abbey shop.

You can easily spend a whole day in and around Postel Abbey. Incidentally, the surrounding area isn’t just a wonderful place for walking; you can also go on some interesting cycle rides there.