La Cambre Abbey facts for kids
La Cambre Abbey (which is Abbaye de la Cambre in French) is a very old building in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. It used to be a special kind of religious home called an abbey. It's located between a big park called Bois de la Cambre and some pretty lakes known as the Ixelles Ponds.
This important place was started way back in 1201. A noble woman from Brussels named Gisèle founded it. Today, the main church at the abbey is still a Catholic church. The abbey grounds are also home to the main office of the Belgian National Geographic Institute. This institute helps make maps and studies the Earth. There is also a school for visual arts here, where students learn about painting, sculpture, and other art forms. The abbey has a small park at the front and a much larger one at the back, perfect for exploring!
Contents
History of La Cambre Abbey
How the Abbey Began
La Cambre Abbey was founded in the year 1201. It was started by a woman named Gisèle. She was a noble lady from Brussels. An abbey is a place where monks or nuns live and pray. La Cambre was an abbey for nuns. These nuns followed a special way of life.
Life at the Abbey
For many centuries, nuns lived at La Cambre Abbey. They spent their days praying, studying, and working. They also helped people in the local community. The abbey grew over time. It became an important center for religion and learning. Many people visited the abbey for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere.
Changes Over Time
Like many old buildings, La Cambre Abbey saw many changes. It was affected by wars and political events. During the French Revolution, many abbeys were closed down. La Cambre Abbey was one of them. The nuns had to leave their home. The buildings were used for other purposes for a while.
The Abbey Today
Even though it is no longer a working abbey for nuns, La Cambre is still very important. The beautiful old buildings remain. They show us what life was like long ago. Today, the abbey grounds are used for different things. The church is still a place of worship. The Belgian National Geographic Institute has its main office here. There is also a school for art students. It's a place where history and modern life come together.
Architecture and Gardens
The Abbey Church
The main church at La Cambre Abbey is very old. Parts of it were built between the 14th and 16th centuries. It has beautiful old architecture. You can see different styles from those times. The church is still used for religious services today.
Exploring the Gardens
The abbey is famous for its lovely gardens. There is a small park at the front of the abbey. It welcomes visitors as they arrive. At the back, there is a much larger garden area. These gardens are peaceful and beautiful. They are a great place to walk and relax. You can see many different plants and trees there.
St. Boniface's Chapel
Within the abbey grounds, there is a special chapel. It is called St. Boniface's Chapel. This chapel is dedicated to Saint Boniface. He was an important religious figure. The chapel is another example of the abbey's rich history.
Images for kids
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La Cambre Abbey in the early 18th century
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The abbey church (14th–16th centuries) -
View of the gardens -
Another view of the gardens -
St. Boniface's Chapel
