Ruisbroek

One of the most famous sons from Ruisbroek is Jan van Ruusbroec (1293-1381). At the age of eleven, he fled to Brussels and moved in with his uncle and priest, Jan Hinckaert. He studied at the chapter school there, was chaplain of the Saint Gudule Church for 26 years, and later withdrew to a hermitage in the Sonian Forest. There he founded the abbey of Groenendael and experienced various profound spiritual experiences. The legend tells that this happened under a burning linden tree. He wrote several treatises, letters, and mystical works. Many works were later translated into Latin, French, German, or English and inspired other clergy. He is rightly regarded as the most important writer of the 14th century in Dutch and Brussels. Jan van Ruusbroec died in 1381, as prior of the aforementioned monastery.

Dromos