Abbey of Alder

The abbey of Alder is an abbey Cistercien based, according to the legend, by Saint Landelin in 657 on the edges of the Sambre to Gozée. (Landelies would draw its name from the brigand Maurosus (VIIe century) who changed his name into " Landelin" once repented and converts with Christianity. Landelin is at the origin of the foundation of the abbeys of Lobbes and Aulne, on Sambre, as well as Abbaye of Crespin (Valencian). It concerns the major Patrimoine of Wallonia.

History

Under the combined impulse of Ursmer, prior of the abbey of Lobbes, and Pépin of Herstal the abbey makes beautiful great strides. The monks follow the Règle of saint Benoît.

In 880, the abbey is devastated by the Normand S and is left with the abandonment during about fifty years before reappearing of its ashes thanks to the intervention of Richaire, bishop of Liege.

In 1147, the prince-bishop of Liege, Henri II of Leyen, offers Aulne to holy Bernard, abbot of Clairvaux. The abbey of Alder becomes cistercian and knows a prosperity without precedent in its history, in particular thanks to the interventions of the prince-bishop of Liege Hugues de Pierrepont, which strongly contributes to the material and spiritual prosperity of the abbey, whose privileges increase considerably at that time. It is one of the most powerful abbeys of the Principauté of Liege

The 15th century is one century black. On several occasions, the monks must flee to protect themselves from the confrontations between Liégeois and troops of the dukes of Burgundy. The abbey undergoes considerable damage each time.

At the beginning of the 16th century, the abbey is plundered during the French invasions . Whereas in second half of the century, she knows rough consecutive internal conflicts with irregularities at the time of the election of an abbot, which undermine its reputation and its development.

The 18th century is the century of gold of the abbey of Alder. Excellent finances of the abbey allow its sumptuous restoration by the abbot Barthélemy Renting. The Abbatiale does not undergo any modification.

In 1794, the abbey is destroyed by the revolutionary French. The general Charbonnier makes pare fire: the abbey and its splendid library leave in smoke as well as some 50 000 volumes which the latter contains.

The monks repurchase then the abbey and make transform into convalescent home the main building previously reserved for the abbot (the part having best resisted the destruction).

In 1875, a church is built with the site of the old entry of the abbey. Initially for the use of the convalescent home, it becomes then the parish church of the village of Alder.

2006:: thanks to the European funds and the Walloon region, important amanegements tourist is start.

The visit of the ruins, of an extreme beauty, can be supplemented by that of the Brasserie of the Valley of Sambre, located in the enclosure of the abbey and where one can assiter with the mixing of the Bière which bears its name (Ada for “Abbey Of Alder”).

Armorial bearings

The Blasonnement of the armorial bearings of the abbey is: of azure to the face of money, accompanied as a chief by three merlettes arranged.

See too

Order of Cîteaux
Order cistercian of the Strict Observance
Brewery of the Valley of Sambre

External bonds

Tourist site of the abbey of Alder

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