Monastery Trail: circular tour Zundert
Explore the countryside around the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge (Abdij Maria Toevlucht) in Zundert and find silence.
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On the circular walk through the rural area of Zundert, you cross the area in the vicinity of the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge. It includes natural green fields as far as the eye can see, long lanes, stunning reflective fens, friendly grazing cattle and oxygen-rich forests. It is a walk that gives you air and space in your head. On the way, find out about the ‘experts at attention’: the Trappist monks who live and work in the abbey. Or indeed, pray and work, ‘ora et labora’, as the monastics say. By focusing on a single task at a time, they do everything with dedication. This walk invites you to do the same: walk, be silent and focus your full attention on yourself, your walking companions and the countryside around you.
North Brabant monastery life
While walking, become acquaint…
On the circular walk through the rural area of Zundert, you cross the area in the vicinity of the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge. It includes natural green fields as far as the eye can see, long lanes, stunning reflective fens, friendly grazing cattle and oxygen-rich forests. It is a walk that gives you air and space in your head. On the way, find out about the ‘experts at attention’: the Trappist monks who live and work in the abbey. Or indeed, pray and work, ‘ora et labora’, as the monastics say. By focusing on a single task at a time, they do everything with dedication. This walk invites you to do the same: walk, be silent and focus your full attention on yourself, your walking companions and the countryside around you.
North Brabant monastery life
While walking, become acquainted with the life and work of the Brabant monks and nuns – then and now. Brabants Kloosterpad or Monastery Path takes you past around fifty-five monasteries and abbeys in North Brabant in various stages. The total length of the trail is 330 kilometres, but there are also beautiful trails marked out around various monasteries. Check out all stage walks and tours here.
Finding the way with numbered junctions
This walking route has been set out using the numbered junction network in Brabant. Simply follow the route via the signposted junctions, from one number to the next. There are also signposts between the junctions to help you find your way.
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Signposting of the monastery tour
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting of the monastery tour
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Trappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 384882 KC Zundert
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Trappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Trappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Rucphenseweg 38
4882 KC Zundert
Veldkapel
Een veldkapel biedt de mogelijkheid aan voorbijgangers om een moment van bezinning en gebed op te zoeken.
Starting point:
RucphensewegKlein Zundert
Natuurgebied de Pannenhoef
Bos, vennen en bloemrijke weilanden typeren de Pannenhoef, een prachtig natuurgebied tussen Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen en Sprundel, dat maar liefst 706 hectare groot is.
Starting point:
De PannenhoefEttensebaan 25
4891 TG Rijsbergen
Natuurgebied de Pannenhoef
Natuurgebied de Pannenhoef
De Pannenhoef
Ettensebaan 25
4891 TG Rijsbergen
Natuurgebied De Moeren
Ten westen van Zundert ligt natuurgebied De Moeren. Je vindt er bos, weiland, akkers, vennetjes en poelen.
Starting point:
ZundertHerberg In den Anker
Zoek je een stukje nostalgie? Bij "In den Anker" vind je een authentieke, sfeervolle kroeg waar de tijd lijkt te hebben stilgestaan.
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 35Zundert
Landgoed De Moeren - Buisse Heide
Op dit landgoed staat een groot landhuis dat dateert uit 1818. In de tijd van Van Gogh waren de bewoners van het huis nauw verbonden met de Nederlands Hervormde Gemeente.
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 37Zundert
Natuurgebied De Lange Maten
Op de Lange Maten kun je de kudde Drents Heideschaap van Natuurmonumenten zien.
Starting point:
ZundertTrappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 384882 KC Zundert
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Story of the route
Trappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 384882 KC Zundert
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Anyone who likes Trappist beer will be familiar with the aubergine-coloured labels adorned with Zundert in decorative white letters. The monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge brew these beers, under the watchful eye of Abbot Guido. There are three beers: the Tripel, the Quadrupel and the Refterbier (a light beer). Brewing beer is one of the tasks the silent Trappist monks do at this abbey. You can buy the beers in the abbey shop, but you can’t drink them here. So, feel free to walk to the hospitality venues in the area, such as the authentic inn with its thatched roof, In den Anker.
In every season you see something different in the stunning forests and heath around the monastery. There is exceptional flora and fauna, vast panoramas and the possibility to retreat into the countryside for a while. A trip to In den Anker inn provides a sweet respite on the route. Here, not only do they serve the amber-coloured Trappist beer made at Our Lady of Refuge, but this is also one of the oldest bars in the Netherlands. Bar life has existed here since 1635. The walls echo tall stories from centuries ago. It is quite a unique experience, feeling this cultural history while trying an original Trappist beer. There are only ten Trappist beer brands in the world allowed to bear this honorary title and the Zundert beer is one of them.
While walking through the countryside and enjoying the beauty around you, you may ask yourself what happens behind the metres-thick abbey walls. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the inside of the abbey, but it’s certainly quiet in there. The Trappist monks make as little noise as possible. That is a life condition for them. They believe it allows them to hear God’s voice that much better. And of course, with silence comes attention, for example for prayer (ora). These monastics pray five to six times a day at set times. And they work (labora). The monks too have to work for their money. Working and praying determine the day’s rhythm for the Trappist monks. You can taste the result of their work, and you can see the praying. The church chapel at the side of the abbey is open for visitors.
The silence of the monastic life seems to seep through the thick walls to the outside. It is dead silent in the nature areas around the abbey too. You walk through stunning Pannenhoef and Kievitsmoeren natural areas, both a treat for body and mind with their flower-filled meadows and reflective fens. You cross the lovely regularity of the forests and heaths of De Moeren Estate. And you pass the Sterrenbos behind the abbey. (Unfortunately not open for visitors). This unique forest is in the shape of a cartwheel with eight spokes. All spokes (lanes) lead to a Lady Chapel (Mariakapel). And that is no coincidence: you could work and pray outdoors here. Ora et labora. The chapel is dedicated to Mary, just like the abbey is. And that suits the Trappist monks: all their abbeys are under Mary’s protection. A unique fact about this Zundert abbey is that you will not find another abbey with the same name. This is the only abbey in the world with the Dutch name Maria Toevlucht.
If you have roots in the traditionally Catholic Brabant or regularly walk/cycle in this province, you will be aware that Mary is everywhere. So too in Tilburg, the location of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey (Abdij Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Koningshoeven). The Zundert abbey was established from Tilburg. You also encounter Mary in the many Lady Chapels on the route. If a list were compiled of provinces with the highest concentration of chapels in the Netherlands, Brabant would at the top. There are almost 500 here, and new ones are added every year.
One of those Brabant chapels is right at the start of this walking route. When it is open, you can light a candle there. And why not? It is part of a tradition. People light candles for all kinds of reasons. It helps you to stop and think for a moment, make a wish or think of people in the world who are worse off than you. And lighting a candle is an appealing ritual. After all, light is universal. Light plays a role in all cultures. It is therefore not surprising that you will find more and more people from other cultures in Brabant’s chapels. Therefore, the chapels from an ancient culture play a new and relevant role in today’s society. Everyone needs time for contemplation at times, irrespective of gender, religion or origin.
If this monastery trail in Zundert has left you wanting more, you may be interested in the other monastery circular walks or stages of the Brabant Monastery Path. There too, you will come across various chapels. See such a chapel as a place to rest. Take some time to stop and think and look around. Indeed, the chapels are in the most beautiful spots in the countryside. Here too, in Zundert. Soak up the surroundings, use all your senses and be silent. Here, you can (re)discover the calmness in yourself.
Trappistenbrouwerij de Kievit / Abdij Maria Toevlucht
Starting point:
Rucphenseweg 384882 KC Zundert
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