Tongerlo Abbey, a jewel in the Kempen district

The Norbertines are disciples of Norbert of Gennep, better known as Saint Norbert. A migrant preacher, he founded the community of Prémontré in France in 1121. In the year 1133, the Antwerp based Saint Michael's convent's abbot Waltman and bishop Burchard of Kamerijk founded a monastic community in Tongerlo. This Norbertine abbey steadily developed into a powerful centre of religion and culture.

Tongerlo is widely known as a true jewel of nature in the Kempen district. The river Grote Nete meanders through countless fields and meadows and one can walk for hours in these gigantic forests. In the middle of all this, the beautiful Norbertine abbey is situated.

The Tongerlo abbey is one of Belgium's convent communities most worth seeing. The showpiece of this abbey is the faithful replica of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper", going all the way back to the year 1500.

Within a stone's throw, a couple of culinary restaurants spoil the gourmets amongst us with their regional dishes.

For additional info on the abbey, click : www.tongerlo.org