Memorial stone on the Scheldekaai for 900 years of Saint Michael’s Abbey – Antwerp Press Agency

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ANTWERP – The City of Antwerp commemorates the 900-year-old Saint Michael’s Abbey. This iconic abbey stood on the banks of the Scheldt for centuries. It was one of the most powerful abbeys in the wider region, but ‘literally’ completely disappeared from the cityscape.

During the reconstruction of the Scheldt quays, archaeological research was carried out at the site where the abbey stood until around 1830. The city placed a memorial stone and an information panel at that location. From May 7, there will be a mini-expo about St. Michael’s Abbey in the Felix Archives.

This Antwerp abbey was founded in 1124 by Norbert van Gennep (ca. 1080-1134) – the later Saint Norbertus. The Premonstratensian Order had its origins there.

The abbey became a rich and powerful monastery that played an important social and political role in what was then Antwerp. In the 14^e and 15^e she offered shelter to rulers and other important personalities. When visiting Antwerp, renowned guests always stayed in the Prinsenhof, the luxurious guesthouse of the abbey.

The monastery was closed in the French period (1794-1815): this meant the decline of the complex. The abbey was plundered, damaged and repaired several times, and lost its glory. She suffered the final blow during the Belgian Revolution (1830-1831). The Antwerp showpiece that once shone on the banks of the Scheldt was demolished shortly afterwards, and the remains disappeared underground.

As part of the reconstruction of the Scheldt quays, archaeologists went looking for the remains of the abbey. They found more than 400 burials and made the cellars and foundations, the corridor, the church and the Prinsenhof visible again. Traces from the period before the construction of the monastery, including a Roman moat and a unique Merovingian coin, also came to light.

To keep the memory of this prestigious abbey alive, the 900^ste anniversary a memorial stone placed on the recently redeveloped Scheldt quays along the Sint-Andries district. This location is located within the former monastery grounds near the old monastery. An information panel provides more information about the disappeared abbey.

Pastor Rudi Mannaerts had the bells of St. Andrew’s Church ringing for this occasion: ‘We coincidentally found a bell from St. Michael’s Abbey in our church a few months ago’

Johan Veeckman, deputy coordinator at the City of Antwerp (Real Heritage and Monuments Care) welcomed everyone and in particular the members of the Premonstratensian community: ‘It is no coincidence that this study day takes place here today in Antwerp and starts at this place… The 900^e We did not want to let the anniversary of the abbey’s foundation pass by without paying special attention to it… It was not only a spiritual but also an administrative and cultural institution that left a major mark on our city for many centuries.’

Alderman for urban development Annick De Ridder: ‘This is also a special place for me: where do urban development and the port come together more than here on the banks of the Scheldt… That connection is no longer so present among children and youth. They don’t know that port anymore… This Scheldt border, 7 km long, is an ideal playground for urban development and, as we discovered here, also for archeology and it attracts young people again. The quay wall has been raised for safety reasons to protect the city and runs over the foundations of the old abbey. Part of that foundation has been kept visible in the design… We are trying to include the history of the city in the renovation: here also at St. Michael’s Abbey.’

After the speeches, those present were guided to the visible foundations of the abbey. Then there was the move to the Felix Archives, where more study material on today’s topic can be found.

Further information can be found on www.antwerpenmorgen.be, click here for the direct link.

A lot of background information and a video about two thousand years of Antwerp’s Scheldt quays can be found at www.archeologiescheldekkeek.be.

Ivo van de Korput.