On Boeveriestraat is the former St Godelieve Abbey, a final convent of Benedictine nuns from 1623 until the end of 2013.
An unprecedented site for many, a remarkable heritage gem of some 11,000m² in size, but whose future was unclear and uncertain.
Care by Careful Management
In 2016, after active discussions with the Bruges city council, Bruges Foundation took over temporary management of this abbey to actively start looking for partners to realise a meaningful new use here, in line with this place of silence.
Brugge Foundation was committed to prudent management of the valuable movable and immovable heritage at the site.
We opened the abbey's doors to interested Bruges residents and other visitors on Open Monument Days, heritage days, Advent evenings, guided tours, and other initiatives of our own.
From 2016 to the end of 2021, Bruges Foundation took care of the abbey.
Bruges Foundation pilot project: renovation of Abbey Church
In 2019, Brugge Foundation launched the thorough renovation of the church as a pilot project with the aim of building confidence in the foundation and attracting partners. Some €150,000 was taken from its own funds to refresh the church, adapt it to contemporary standards in terms of infrastructure and equipment for multiple use as a concert space, lecture hall, workshop space, ....
Maximum respect for the religious character of this church space was observed in the process.
The church attracted growing interest from Bruges institutions, clubs and organisations
"The Garden of the Present" on its way to Tomorrow
Anno 2021, at the instigation of Brugge Foundation, an agreement was concluded between the City of Bruges and Tourism Flanders. which is realising a pilot project here with the eloquent name: The Garden of Heden.
In-depth consultations with residents and visitors, local actors and interested partners have since led to a vision around the redevelopment: contemporary but with maximum respect for spirit of the place
Meanwhile, a master plan for the approach to the abbey has been approved and the realisation phase is being prepared in all its project parts.
Bruges Foundation, a dream partner for Tourism Flanders
In 2023, Flemish Tourism Minister Zuhal Demir, through Tourism Flanders, granted 4.2 million euros of relaunch funds to Bruges Foundation, which is stepping in to the concrete realisation of the repurposing project.
By anchoring the allocated funds to St Godelieve Abbey through our foundation, Bruges Foundation was once again able to fulfil one of its objectives of raising funds for Bruges' heritage.
TRAVEL TO MORNING, a future for St Godelieve Abbey, an important Flemish pilot project in Bruges. Within the philosophy of Reizen naar Morgen, Tourism Flanders wants to give valuable religious heritage a new future with respect for the soul and character of this place.
insert link: https://www.reizennaarmorgen.be/netwerk/reizen-naar-morgen-charter
