Hemiksem Abbey

St. Bernard's Abbey, Hemiksem, also known as St. Bernard's Abbey on the Scheldt, was a significant Cistercian monastery located in Hemiksem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. Its establishment in 1243 was a concerted effort by the Dukes of Brabant, Henry I and his son Henry II, and was formally confirmed by Pope Urban IV. The abbey was named in honor of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a pivotal figure in the Cistercian order.

History and Development

The abbey's history was marked by periods of both prosperity and turmoil. In the late 16th century, the monastic community faced pressure, leading to a temporary desertion in 1578 during the iconoclastic movement. A devastating fire in 1672 destroyed much of the complex, necessitating rebuilding efforts that resulted in the structures largely dating from the late 17th and 18th centuries. Notably, the impressive western facade and its 42-meter tower were completed during the abbacy of Joannes van Heymissem.

The monastery met its end during the French Revolution when the community was suppressed in 1797. The monks were expelled, and their extensive grounds and properties were abolished. The surviving members of the community later re-established themselves at Bornem Abbey in 1836.

Post-Revolutionary Use and Legacy

Following its dissolution, the abbey buildings underwent numerous transformations. They served successively as a naval hospital, a house of correction designed by architect Pierre Bruno Bourla to accommodate over 1500 individuals, a military depot, and an internment facility for collaborators after World War II. From 1948 to 1977, the military again occupied the premises before it stood empty.

Legal protection was granted to the building in 1973, and it was acquired by the municipality of Hemiksem in 1988. After restoration of the west and east wings, these areas now house the municipal administrative center and local police headquarters. The north wing is home to a local history museum and the Roelants Museum. The distinctive silhouette of the principal range of Hemiksem Abbey has become an enduring symbol of the town.