Gazing upon Klein-Bijgaarden, it’s hard to imagine this tranquil neighborhood as anything but peaceful. Yet, its story echoes with the clamor of a busy road and the whispers of a forgotten priory. Klein-Bijgaarden, nestled in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, near Brussels, carries a unique blend of history and modernity. Originally, the site held a Benedictine priory, founded in 1251. These dedicated nuns transformed the marshy landscape, making it suitable for agriculture and establishing a thriving farm and watermill along the Zuunbeek. Klein-Bijgaarden’s priory, however, met a tragic end during the religious conflicts of the late 16th century. Rebuilt in the early 17th century, it faced further trials, including a devastating fire in 1745. The priory never fully recovered. The year 1796 marked the end of monastic life at Klein-Bijgaarden. The property was sold, and the once sacred grounds were repurposed into an oil mill and distillery. The remnants of the priory eventually gave way to the neoclassical grandeur of Kasteel Wittouck in 1865. Today, Klein-Bijgaarden has undergone a transformation, becoming a residential area. Its history, though, remains woven into the fabric of the place. The echoes of the nuns’ prayers, the rumble of the mill, and the scent of juniper berries from the distillery linger in the air, a testament to Klein-Bijgaarden’s rich and layered past.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to