Action restoration walls monastery

On June 21, Mayor Hillenaar (municipality Land van Cuijk) launched a crowdfunding campaign for the restoration of the walls of the Kruisheren monastery.

In Sint Agatha, in the middle of the Maasheggen area, stand the oldest monastery walls in the Netherlands. To preserve the walls, they must be restored in the short term. The province of North Brabant is funding 70% of the costs, provided the rest can be raised.

Since 1371

The monastery of Sint Agatha, near Cuijk on the Meuse River, has been inhabited by the Kruisheren since 1371. The impressive monastery walls date from the 16th century. They are iconic and significant to the monastery. After all, the word "monastery" means "private place": a space where it is possible to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Every day dozens of walkers in the monastery garden enjoy the silence and security within the special walls. These are no less than 390 meters long and 1.5 stone thick. The total cost of restoration is €570,000, with the restoration of one monastery mound costing €6. If many people contribute one stone (via www.kloostersintagatha.nl/actiekloostermuren), the ancient walls will be preserved for future generations.

Kloostermoppen

It involves a huge area of bricks and grouting. Walls of monastery bricks are mottled in color because the bricks were not all equally dense during the firing process. Because much of the grouting is loose, hundreds of square meters must be cut out and re-grouted. Where the monastery walls have already collapsed, piled stones await repair of fractures. Conservative restoration is chosen; the walls will not look like new. The "ravages of time" are part of the beauty of the walls and will remain visible even after restoration.