Brabant Monastery Trail: circular tour Tilburg
Of all the cities in North Brabant, Tilburg has the highest number of (former) monasteries.
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Of all the cities in North Brabant, Tilburg has the highest number of (former) monasteries. This monastery tour, which is 11.5 kilometres long, begins by the Trappists of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey (Abdij Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven) and takes you past Villa Moerenburg (Huize Moerenburg) and the Cenakel retreat house. When returning, be sure to stop at the Abbey’s tasting room.
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Signposting of the Monastery Trail
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting of the Monastery Trail
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
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Koningshoeven Abbey
Koningshoeven Abbey
All of the La Trappe beers have been created and are brewed here, together with the Trappists of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey.
Eindhovenseweg 3
5056 RP Berkel-Enschot
Navigate to starting point
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70
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84
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Villa Moerenburg
Villa Moerenburg
Villa Moerenburg, built around 1310, was one of the first stone houses in Tilburg. It was sold to the Tongerlo abbey at the end of the 14th century and served as a rectory.
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88
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FORMER SAINT LIDWINA MONASTERY
FORMER SAINT LIDWINA MONASTERY
This monastery, built in 1935, was closed after many years. It has now been converted into apartments.
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FORMER SAINT ELISABETH MONASTERY AND HOSPITAL
FORMER SAINT ELISABETH MONASTERY AND HOSPITAL
This monastery, built in 1935, was closed after many years. It has now been converted into apartments.
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CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF OIRSCHOT
CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF OIRSCHOT
In 1973, several Sisters of Oirschot settled in this residence at Gerard van Swietenstraat 81, applying themselves to education, social care and caring for elderly friars.
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49
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HEIKESE CHURCH
HEIKESE CHURCH
The Heikese church was the parish church of Tilburg. The neo-Gothic church had to be relinquished to the Protestants in 1648.
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FORMER CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY
FORMER CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY
The Franciscan sisters moved from Nijmegen and Eupen to Tilburg in 1888. In 1896 they moved into their first convent at Bisschop Zwijsenstraat (nos. 18 and 20).
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FORMER VISITANDINE CONVENT
FORMER VISITANDINE CONVENT
Fleeing the Kulturkampf in Germany, the sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Orde van O.L. Vrouw Visitatie) arrived in Tilburg.
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MOTHER HOUSE OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY
MOTHER HOUSE OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY
The Sisters of Charity was one of the largest congregations of our country. The sisters resided in a weaving shop in ‘t Heike in 1832.
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OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL CHURCH
OUR MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL CHURCH
This church, designed by Jan van der Valk, was completed in 1913. The architectural style is an early form of expressionism for the Netherlands.
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FORMER DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CONVENT
FORMER DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CONVENT
At the request of the pastor, the first three Daughters travelled from France to Waalwijk to care for the sick and provide early childhood education (and, later, primary education) in 1911.
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BROTHERHOUSE DIONYSIUS
BROTHERHOUSE DIONYSIUS
In 1954, the Brothers of Tilburg built a new monastery between the church and the Saint Joseph House at Kruisvaardersstraat 32.
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FATIMA JOZEFZORG HOUSE
FATIMA JOZEFZORG HOUSE
The Daughters of the Holy Heart of Mary moved into this house (architect Jos Bedaux) in July 1951. They worked in education, cared for the elderly and ill, carried out youth work and district nursing.
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CENAKEL
CENAKEL
This retreat house was taken into use in August 1908 by the originally French Congregation of our Lady of Seclusion in the Cenakel.
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FORMER CONVENT EIGENHORST
FORMER CONVENT EIGENHORST
In May 1950, the Brothers with the Blue Cords (officially the Brothers of our Lady of Sorrows, Catholic Social Doctrine) began an open house for youth who were working and studying, naming it the Eigenhorst Boys’ House (Jongenshuis Eigenhorst).
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70
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Koningshoeven Abbey
Koningshoeven Abbey
All of the La Trappe beers have been created and are brewed here, together with the Trappists of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey.
Eindhovenseweg 3
5056 RP Berkel-Enschot
Navigate to endpoint
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Route features
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11 dog-friendly places to eat and drink amid the North Brabant countryside
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8 things to do with children in North Brabant
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7 places to go in the Brabant countryside with children
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A cultural city trip: Breda and surrounding area
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From monastery gardens to drifting sand dunes: a 5-day motorhome road trip through the Van Gogh National Park
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Reflection and wonder on a two-day walking trail
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A weekend for slowing down in North Brabant
Two days of wandering through monasteries, castles, forts and fortified cities with plenty of time along the way for culinary enjoyment at creative food hotspots – this is possible in North Brabant.
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A long weekend of surprises in the heart of Brabant
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7 times UNESCO in North Brabant
UNESCO is best known for the World Heritage List. But UNESCO also recognises heritage in other areas, which means you will encounter UNESCO sites also in North Brabant.