Programme

visits / exhibition / concert

Prior's House and Rouge-Cloître/Rood Klooster site

The priory of Rouge-Cloître/Rood Klooster (Red Cloister) was founded by hermits, who settled in the Sonian Forest and built cells and a consecrated chapel there in 1369. The Dukes of Brabant gave a generous endowment to this first foundation, which adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine in 1373. The Burgundian princes and their successors ensured the prosperity of the priory, which went on expanding until it was secularised in 1784. The charm of the place continued to draw in the public, so much so that a café was set up in the Miller's House in 1884 and a restaurant opened in 1902 in what had once been the prior's quarters. The whole site was purchased by the Belgian State in 1910. All that remains of the old cloister is the Prior's House, which once housed the chapter room, the canons' bedchambers and the prior's quarters. Attached to the church, which no longer exists, the building was altered considerably in the 18th century, giving the main façade a classical look, although the rear has retained a number of ogival bays. The magnificent 14th-century frame is still in place and is now home to a bat colony. The Prior's House, which has not been in use since 1998, was recently thoroughly restored by the Brussels-Capital Region, through its Property Management Service (Régie Foncière/Grondregie). The restoration was completed in May 2022. A multipurpose socio-cultural centre will be opening in the building soon. (Listed 16/11/1965)

Concert: Osmosis, a performance featuring singing by Charlotte Crochelet and Hélène Philippe – with the support of Théâtre de la Parole – in the cloister gallery. Sunday 17 September at 4pm.

Exhibition: The Prior's House at Rouge-Cloître/Rood Klooster. The Prior's House is part of the former monastery of Rouge-Cloître/Rood Klooster, an exceptional heritage site in the Brussels-Capital Region. Its location in the vicinity of both the Sonian Forest and the city have made this historical and natural domain a favourite spot for hikers and nature lovers. The Prior's House, which has not been in use since 1998, was recently thoroughly restored by the Brussels-Capital Region.

As the new manager of the Prior's House, non-profit organisation Rubea Vallis aims to make this last vestige of the former monastery accessible and enjoyable for the public through a diverse socio-cultural programme, highlighting the site's cultural and natural assets. This exhibition, in collaboration with the Art & History Museum and urban.brussels, gives an initial presentation of the results of the archaeological work carried out between 1997 and 2015 on the Rouge-Cloître/Rood Klooster site, providing keys to the interpretation and understanding of its history and architecture in the wider context of the study of ancient iconography.

The brasserie and gallery in the Prior's House are now open to the public. Come and explore these recently restored spaces!

Practical information

Sat. & Sun. 10:00 to 18:00

Rue du Rouge-Cloître/Rood Kloosterstraat 4 – Auderghem/Oudergem

Advance booking not required

Accessible with assistance

Accessible with assistance