Capuchin Monastery

The Capuchin monastery of Tervuren existed from 1626 to 1796 in the Sonian Forest. The buildings have been demolished and the underground remains overgrown.

The main architect of the monastery was Anton of Arenberg, who had joined the Capuchins in 1616 under the monastic name Carolus. The Capuchins had first planned the new settlement in Boitsfort, but at the request of governor Isabella, who wanted them close to her hunting castle, they eventually chose Tervuren. Isabella gave them two bunders of land in Essendelle. Father Carolus had the monastery buildings erected there from 25 June 1626. To the south-west he had a garden laid out, the drifts of which formed an octagon. This pattern is still recognizable as the square described by the Putdreef, the Noorddreef and the Hospitaaldreef. There were also large ponds. Even before the winter, the church and the convent were under roof, and exactly one year after the start of the works, the church was consecrated in the presence of many dignitaries. Paquot called the result a beautiful hermitage. Brother Charles became the first gardian.

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