Second restoration phase of St Godelieve abbey in Bruges officially begins

Today marks the start of a new phase in our vision for the St Godelieve abbey site, which we see as a flexible framework that accommodates various uses, without compromising its rich heritage. The second restoration phase is formally inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Melissa Depraetere. To symbolize the meaningful impact this place will have for future generations, four time capsules containing children's drawings will be buried in the enclosed inner garden of the abbey site.

In its new purpose, the story of the St Godelieve abbey will be preserved. The complex will be transformed into a gathering place for the people of Bruges, visitors, and the local community, where the history of the nuns and their environment will come to life once again. The abbey gardens, such as the vegetable garden, herb garden, and orchard, will be restored and used for urban farming and community engagement. Two experiential routes will be created: the convent route offers space for silence and contemplation, with a historical reception room and a prayer garden, while the abbey route highlights the productive side of the abbey, including a walking path through the abbey garden and farm.

With the introduction of the Hortus Connectens, we present a new, unifying garden. Serving as the centre of the abbey, this garden contrasts with the Hortus Conclusus, which remains the heart of the convent. An elegant pavilion with a canopy will embrace this new garden. The Hortus Connectens acts as a junction between the orchard and vegetable garden, the abbey and the monastery, and between the past and the future. At this new focal point, we will create an abbey point where visitors can learn the story of the site.

The delicate heritage on the site will be preserved as much as possible, but will also be adapted for new use and aligned with contemporary standards of comfort. The structures will be reinforced where necessary, insulation will be added where possible, and adjustments will be made to meet current technical requirements, ensuring an entirely accessible site.

In the new restoration phase, the focus will be on enhancing the visitor experience. The gardens will be restored and repurposed as spaces for relaxation and urban farming. A culinary experience route will take shape, linked to the produce grown in the vegetable garden. A workshop pavilion in this garden will be used for cooking, while young chefs will have a space in the east wing of the abbey. The central pavilion in the Hortus Connectens will become the central hub for the abbey's future. At the same time, the heritage value of the oldest farm in Bruges will be respected and restored, and the necessary work will be done on the restoration of the north wing and the roofs of the abbey, with careful attention to historical details.

Watch: the abbey featured on the VRT Seven O'Clock news.

Info

A collaboration between B-architecten & B-juxta

⁠Client: Toerisme Vlaanderen⁠

Execution phase two in collaboration with: OMGEVING, Daidalos Peutz, Mouton, Sweco, Studio Tuin en Wereld, tc plus

Main contractor: Monument Vandekerckhove

Images: B-architecten & B-juxta⁠⁠

#vlaamsbouwmeester⁠

www.detuinvanheden.be