Saint Godelieve Abbey. ©Visit Flanders
The “Garden of the Present” at Saint Godelieve Abbey in Bruges is a groundbreaking revitalisation project to transform a 400-year-old Benedictine abbey into a vibrant, sustainable cultural hub. Spearheaded by Visit Flanders (Toerisme Vlaanderen), this initiative sets a new model for giving new meaning to religious heritage sites through a unique combination of community involvement, co-creative research, innovative technology, and a deep respect for the religious significance of the place.
A place with 400 years of history
The Boeveriestraat in Bruges has been a place of sacred, spiritual activity for centuries. Over the 16th century, the Benedictine Sisters were established in different locations in Bruges. The looting that the community suffered in 1586, pushed them to resettle 20 kilometres away from the city.
On this spot, the abbot of the Sint-Andriesabdij bought in 1623 a mansion house known as ‘Het Fontainken’ with a farm and orchard so that the community could move in. The mansion would be enlarged in the following years, giving shape to the current Sint Godelieve Abbey. Some 250 years later, the Capuchin Friars Minor was built on the other side of the street.
The community would remain here until the end of 2013. In the following years, the religious ensemble was leased by different organisations and authorities. Finally, in 2021, Visit Flanders purchased the abbey, starting a process to give the complex a new future.
Old photo of the abbey’s sisters.
A participatory repurposing approach
The initial phase in envisioning a new future for Saint Godelieve involved launching a co-creative and participatory process aimed at gathering insights from the local community, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders. This marked a pioneering effort by the Flemish government to recontextualize historic cultural heritage sites, striving for a balanced involvement of all parties with a saying on the future of the site.
To give them the floor to share their proposals, Sint-Godelieve Abbey opened its doors to the public for the first time in four centuries during the summer of 2021. Over 16,000 visitors —including residents of Bruges, entrepreneurs, and visitors from various parts of Flanders and beyond — seized this unique opportunity to explore the premises and contribute to redefining its purpose in the current social context. Collectively, they contributed over 5,000 visions of the future of the abbey.
This participatory research represented the largest survey conducted in Flanders concerning the future of religious heritage, revealing a clear preference against a museum-oriented function for Sint-Godelieve Abbey and much in favour of building a vibrant and dynamic place open to community encounters and cultural activities.
In light of this expressed vision, an open call was issued to architects for a comprehensive study assignment and the development of a master plan focused on the restoration and repurposing of the abbey. Eventually, a consortium comprising B-architecten, JUXTA architecten, and partners was chosen to realise this masterplan.
Participatory session with vistors to decide on the future of the place. ©Visit Flanders
The Garden of Today
In the spring of 2023, the selected consortium of architects unveiled 8 powerful architectural concepts to breathe new life into Saint Godelieve Abbey, based on the feedback provided by residents, entrepreneurs and visitors.
These eight proposals are interconnected and collectively embody a robust vision that respects the essence of the site while also considering the economic viability of future initiatives.
The “Garden of Today” concept encompasses the following ideas and modifications:
- The former 17th-century kitchen will be transformed into a “demonstration kitchen” where visitors will be able to see top chefs at work and later taste their creations in the area of the refectory and cellars.
- The main entrance will be the door to discovering the history of the place and its community, which visitors will gradually absorb as they navigate through the cloister, chapter house and abbess’s room. The abbey church will complement this journey through the history of the place offering a space for cultural activities.
- The orchard will feature a collective participatory artwork.
- The farm, which is one of the oldest farms in the city centre of Bruges, is being transformed into an abbey point where visitors will be able to buy locally-produced artisanal products and walk inside the new microbrewery.
- The former vegetable, herb and flower garden is being revived with new crops cultivated by a community of residents.
- The former sleeping cells will be transformed into workspaces that residents or visitors can rent for half a day, a week or a month.
- The former student housing is being transformed into office spaces designated for commercial companies and entrepreneurs.
- Near the abbey, a residential facility for “retired” artists, creators, and scientists is currently under construction. This area will also function as a communal hub for emerging artists, creators, and scientists.
Travel as a vision for the future
The repurposing of the Saint Godelieve Abbey and the Capuchins Friar Minor is part of a wider vision called Travel for Tomorrow (Reizen voor Morgen), with which Visit Flanders aims to position the region at the forefront of European religious heritage revitalisation.
Over the past years, the Flemish government has taken significant strides in supporting the revalorisation of religious heritage sites and the preservation of their works of art in situ. This policy reflects a deep commitment to ensuring these spaces remain vibrant and relevant, preserving their historical, cultural, and spiritual significance for future generations. By investing in innovative approaches, Flanders has succeeded in breathing new life into these sacred sites, fostering a renewed connection between heritage, community, and contemporary use.
Since its implementation in 2017, this vision has been exemplified by several high-profile interventions funded by the Flemish government:
- In Heverlee, the Abdij van het Park has been revitalised through the efforts of PARCUM, a museum and centre of expertise dedicated to religious art and culture.
- Ghent’s St Bavo’s Cathedral unveiled a new visitor centre showcasing the world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers.
- In Bruges, 20-30% of religious heritage sites have been reimagined for modern use while maintaining their historic integrity.
- Antwerp’s Our Lady Cathedral enhances visitor experiences by highlighting its connection to Rubens and its spiritual essence.
- The Abdij van Herkenrode and its Doorkijkkerk installation (upcoming) offer a blend of art and history, while the Holy Cross Church in Boekhoute has been repurposed as a multifunctional meeting space.
- Lastly, the St Amalgergha Church in Bossuit has been transformed into a Kunstkerk, merging art with heritage to create a unique cultural experience.
Looking ahead, Flanders is proud to announce that it will host the Future for Religious Heritage Conference in 2026, a testament to its leadership in preserving and innovating within this essential field of cultural heritage.
Contact with Visit Flanders
https://www.visitflanders.com/en/how-can-we-help-you
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