Franciscan Sisters

International novitiate

From 1895 to 2010, more than 2,000 missionary sisters were trained here before being sent out all over the world. The buildings of the convent are surrounded by a patchwork of avenues, meadows and woods. Here and there you might encounter a religious image. At the back of the domain is the cemetery of the nuns.

Along the avenues are information boards telling the story of the sisters and the domain. Near the cemetery there is also an information kiosk where you can learn about the history of the domain.

The role of Kempens Landschap

After the cloister closed its doors, the buildings and the domain were given a new life. Kempens Landschap bought the domain and it is now a public park. The buildings were transformed into a residential care centre.

Our organisation put  together a landscape management plan that includes all management objectives and the overall vision for the development of the domain. Nor has the heritage on the site been forgotten: the various religious images and the St Francis grotto have been repaired. The pond surrounding the grotto also received a makeover. The works were made possible by several subsidised projects.