The history of the Corsendonk priory began in 1395 when Mary of Brabant donated 600 hectares of land to the canons of the Saint Augustine order.
Until the 16th century especially the scriptoriums and the library of the priory were well known.
Children can explore the priory on the basis of our family quest ‘discover Priorij Corsendonk with monk Joannes’. The search takes them through the main building and the various buildings on the site. The family search is completely free and can be picked up at the reception or bar. It is in Dutch.
Priorij Corsendonk is wonderfully peaceful in the middle of fields, orchards and forests.
Ideal to explore the Antwerp Kempen by bicycle or on foot from the Priory!
The Corsendonkwalk is a walk of 6 km. The walk leaves the priory and makes a loop in the beautiful landscape of the hamlets of Corsendonk and Kinschot.
The river ‘Rode Loop’ flows in the region of Corsendonk. For centuries the valley of the Red Loop has been flowing during heavy rainfall. In the Tikkebroeken nature reserve, a characteristic Kempens lowland peat developed along the Red Loop.
In the heart of the Kempen between Oud-Turnhout and Arendonk you will find De Liereman, one of the oldest protected nature reserves in Belgium. One can walk between cork-dry land dunes and soaking wet peat bogs.
The princes route is a 43.5 km cycle route. You cycle through Retie, Geel, Kasterlee and Oud-Turnhout. The route passes the Prinsenpark (190 ha), which is enchanting in every season.
“Landscape Experiences” is a bike ride that has been compiled by the Regional Landscape Small and Large Nete. The route cycles through the history of the Kempen landscape. There are various stopping places where people get to know places of interest.
It is possible to rent bicycles at Priorij Corsendonk. Please book in advance.
De Warande is the cultural house of Turnhout and was one of the first cultural centers in Flanders.
The Taxandria museum tells the story of the past and the culture of Turnhout and the Kempen.
At about 15 km from the priory of Corsendonk one can visit another abbey which is certainly worthwhile. The abbey of Postel is just like the priory between greenery and consists of several buildings. There is an abbey shop and an information center.
The Jakob Smitsmuseum is located in Mol, in the hamlet of Sluis. The collection mainly consists of works by Jakob Smits and the Molse School.