The Trappist Abbey of Achel or San Benedictus-Abbey or also Achelse Kluis, which belongs to the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, is located in Achel. The abbey is famous for its spiritual life and for its brewery, one of the few Trappist breweries in the world. Life in the abbey was characterized by prayer, reading and manual work, the three fundamental elements of Trappist life.
Achelse Kluis History
The area around Achelse Kluis has a long religious tradition. As early as 1656, a border chapel was built in the area on a moorland plot between Zwartven and Kerkeven.
In 1686 Petrus van Eijnatten of Eindhoven founded a community of hermits here. Since that time "Achelse Kluis" has been a center of prayer, contemplation and Christian culture.
After a pause following the French Revolution, the Trappist monks of Westmalle resumed the religious trend and founded the Abbey of San Benedetto on this site in 1846.
The monks lived in the spirit of the Cistercian order, according to the rule of Benedict.
The new community has grown steadily and, in turn, has founded daughter houses in Echt and Diepenveen (Netherlands), in Rochefort (Belgium) and Kasanza (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
After the Second World War, the construction of a new abbey began. Only two of the four planned wings were built. The community then numbered around a hundred monks.
For years they have played a pioneering role in the field of agriculture and livestock and have practiced all kinds of crafts.
In 1989, most of the agricultural land was sold as a nature and recreation area to the Dutch Forestry Commission and the Flemish Region.
The small community of monks that remains today now depends primarily for its income on commercial activities, including the sale of the home-brewed Achels Trappist beer.
De Trappist Achel has been produced within the walls of De Achelse Kluis since 1850 under the supervision of the community of monks. No beer was produced between World War I and 1998. Today the production boasts 4 different beers.
There is also an inn, located in the renovated former stables. There are now large lounges and a large sun terrace, which connects to the entrance to the Abbey's Workshop. Here we can find a variety of hot and soft drinks, pastries, abbey soup, abbey bread, tapas and lunch dishes.