Monastery Trail: circular tour Zundert

Story of the route

Anyone who likes Trappist beer will be familiar with the aubergine-coloured labels adorned with Zundert in decorative white letters. The monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge brew these beers, under the watchful eye of Abbot Guido. There are three beers: the Tripel, the Quadrupel and the Refterbier (a light beer). Brewing beer is one of the tasks the silent Trappist monks do at this abbey. You can buy the beers in the abbey shop, but you can’t drink them here. So, feel free to walk to the hospitality venues in the area, such as the authentic inn with its thatched roof, In den Anker.

In every season you see something different in the stunning forests and heath around the monastery. There is exceptional flora and fauna, vast panoramas and the possibility to retreat into the countryside for a while. A trip to In den Anker inn provides a sweet respite on the route. Here, not only do they serve the amber-coloured Trappist beer made at Our Lady of Refuge, but this is also one of the oldest bars in the Netherlands. Bar life has existed here since 1635. The walls echo tall stories from centuries ago. It is quite a unique experience, feeling this cultural history while trying an original Trappist beer. There are only ten Trappist beer brands in the world allowed to bear this honorary title and the Zundert beer is one of them.

While walking through the countryside and enjoying the beauty around you, you may ask yourself what happens behind the metres-thick abbey walls. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the inside of the abbey, but it’s certainly quiet in there. The Trappist monks make as little noise as possible. That is a life condition for them. They believe it allows them to hear God’s voice that much better. And of course, with silence comes attention, for example for prayer (ora). These monastics pray five to six times a day at set times. And they work (labora). The monks too have to work for their money. Working and praying determine the day’s rhythm for the Trappist monks. You can taste the result of their work, and you can see the praying. The church chapel at the side of the abbey is open for visitors.

The silence of the monastic life seems to seep through the thick walls to the outside. It is dead silent in the nature areas around the abbey too. You walk through stunning Pannenhoef and Kievitsmoeren natural areas, both a treat for body and mind with their flower-filled meadows and reflective fens. You cross the lovely regularity of the forests and heaths of De Moeren Estate. And you pass the Sterrenbos behind the abbey. (Unfortunately not open for visitors). This unique forest is in the shape of a cartwheel with eight spokes. All spokes (lanes) lead to a Lady Chapel (Mariakapel). And that is no coincidence: you could work and pray outdoors here. Ora et labora. The chapel is dedicated to Mary, just like the abbey is. And that suits the Trappist monks: all their abbeys are under Mary’s protection. A unique fact about this Zundert abbey is that you will not find another abbey with the same name. This is the only abbey in the world with the Dutch name Maria Toevlucht.

If you have roots in the traditionally Catholic Brabant or regularly walk/cycle in this province, you will be aware that Mary is everywhere. So too in Tilburg, the location of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey (Abdij Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Koningshoeven). The Zundert abbey was established from Tilburg. You also encounter Mary in the many Lady Chapels on the route. If a list were compiled of provinces with the highest concentration of chapels in the Netherlands, Brabant would at the top. There are almost 500 here, and new ones are added every year.

One of those Brabant chapels is right at the start of this walking route. When it is open, you can light a candle there. And why not? It is part of a tradition. People light candles for all kinds of reasons. It helps you to stop and think for a moment, make a wish or think of people in the world who are worse off than you. And lighting a candle is an appealing ritual. After all, light is universal. Light plays a role in all cultures. It is therefore not surprising that you will find more and more people from other cultures in Brabant’s chapels. Therefore, the chapels from an ancient culture play a new and relevant role in today’s society. Everyone needs time for contemplation at times, irrespective of gender, religion or origin.

If this monastery trail in Zundert has left you wanting more, you may be interested in the other monastery circular walks or stages of the Brabant Monastery Path. There too, you will come across various chapels. See such a chapel as a place to rest. Take some time to stop and think and look around. Indeed, the chapels are in the most beautiful spots in the countryside. Here too, in Zundert. Soak up the surroundings, use all your senses and be silent. Here, you can (re)discover the calmness in yourself.