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Tongerlo Abbey, Belgium

. . . THIS MAY TAKE A MOMENT OR TWO . . .

This is an older aerial photograph of the abbey grounds.

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Here another, longer range, aerial view, (also more recent) -- showing the entire abbey "enclosure".  Note the Abbey Church at center, and the main gate into the complex at lower right.  The moat is visible in the front as a "black line". 

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This is a general view of the abbey grounds from the outside. 

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This is a closeup of the protective wall built around part of the Abbey Grounds.

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The tree-lined entry road into the abbey complex. tong04.jpg (27993 bytes)
A street level view of the tree lined entryway into the Abbey. tong35.jpg (32605 bytes)
Pasture which flanks one side of the tree lined entryway.  The other side is a series of convenient parking lots for visitors. tong36.jpg (26749 bytes)

This is a wide view of the main gate, taken from the middle of the cow pasture outside the abbey wall.

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Another view of the gatehouse, a bit closer this time, also showing some of the moat. 

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Main gate shown from outside the abbey.   To the left in this photo would be the pasture, to the right the series of parking lots.  tong37.jpg (30935 bytes)
A view of the wall and moat surrounding most of the abbey complex. tong38.jpg (30566 bytes)
This is a closeup of the main Gate area from inside the abbey.

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A "very close view" of main gate from the inside, showing clearly the "carraige" gate and the "pedestrian" gate. 1-tong-03.jpg (21659 bytes)
Wider view of the gate house area. tong51.jpg (16000 bytes)
What you see immediately after walking through the main gate of the Abbey.  The inner courtyard, showing at far left the water tower, mid-left the retreat house, and center-right, the Abbey Church.

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This is the Abbot's Residence building, which now serves as a museum, housing among other things Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper".

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A bit of a wider view of the building above showing its relation to other buildings within the complex.  The abbey gatehouse is at right in this photo.

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Hand laid cobbles within the abbey grounds (right in front of the Abbot's Residence building. tong05.jpg (24930 bytes)
More cobbles laid in a "sunburst" pattern near the center of the Abbey grounds. tong06.jpg (25164 bytes)
The residence building on the Abbey grounds, showing the main door where "guests" enter to get to the reception and office area..

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Another view of the residence building. tong50.jpg (21564 bytes)
The water tower, with the carpentry shop on its left.

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The water fountain which is close to the water tower, above.  The abbey's gift shop (open 10 a.m. to 4 pm.) is directly behind the photographer. tong44.jpg (21494 bytes)
View of residence apartments for retreatants.

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A closer look at the present-day Retreat House, a magnificently restored medieval barn housing a museum of Norbertine presence throughout the world.  Note the Statue of Madonna and Child on the side wall.

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Here is a closer look (also with the ivy in bloom) at the Madonna and Child on the Retreat House wall.

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Another view of the "barn / museum" with the Abbey Church in the background. tong45.jpg (18391 bytes)
Service buildings, work buildings and conference rooms. tong47.jpg (16636 bytes)
Service building. tong49.jpg (29633 bytes)
Interior cloister area.

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Refectory, note the paintings on the walls at left and in the background...extremely interesting from an historical perspective.

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Portrait gallery in the Abbot's Residence.

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Hallway area, residence building. tong13.jpg (16385 bytes)
The "new garden" area. tong14.jpg (24319 bytes)
Abbey Church. tong39.jpg (17094 bytes)
Another view of the Abbey Church. tong41.jpg (15446 bytes)
Inside the Abbey Church -- perspective from an aisle. tong15.jpg (19526 bytes)
Vaulting in Abbey Church ceiling. tong16.jpg (15449 bytes)
View of stained glass window at rear of Abbey Church. tong17.jpg (18956 bytes)
Closeup of Our Lady of Tongerlo. tong18.jpg (6219 bytes)
View of apse / choir end of the Abbey Church. tong19.jpg (27068 bytes)
Closer view of main altar in Abbey Church tong20.jpg (23710 bytes)
Reliquary of St. Siard in Abbey Church. tong21.jpg (23935 bytes)
View toward rear of Abbey Church from the Cantor's area in the choir. tong22.jpg (24257 bytes)
Choir view. tong23.jpg (21325 bytes)
Looking directly up from the Abbot's chair in the choir. tong24.jpg (18819 bytes)
Organ pipes detail within the choir. tong25.jpg (20695 bytes)
View of main altar from the choir. tong26.jpg (23172 bytes)
Stained glass window in trancept. tong27.jpg (23626 bytes)
Another stained glass window in trancept. tong28.jpg (28677 bytes)
Lector platform. tong29.jpg (20531 bytes)
View of an aisle from the Nave. tong30.jpg (22189 bytes)
The second Lector platform. tong31.jpg (21886 bytes)
Yet another beautiful stained glass window in one of the aisles.. tong32.jpg (26860 bytes)
Doorway directly from the Abbey Church to the Residence building through which the confreres process into the church during liturgies. tong33.jpg (14091 bytes)
Glass "vestibule" at entry into the church.  Although this photo does not show it, this glass contains etchings of significant Coats of Arms relating to the history of the house. tong34.jpg (22152 bytes)
View from the steps of the Abbey Church. tong53.jpg (18281 bytes)
Animal enclosure within the abbey grounds, a welcome island of peace and repose. tong07.jpg (31611 bytes)
Baby rabbits explore their world! tong08.jpg (29003 bytes)
More baby rabbits! tong09.jpg (27874 bytes)
And more! tong10.jpg (23009 bytes)
A restored "Flemish kitchen."

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