During the opening weekend on October 24 and 25, 8,000 visitors flocked to the Leuven abbey site for an extensive program of activities and the opening of the international exhibition Interwoven Landscapes at Museum PARCUM. This marks a new chapter for one of Western Europe's best-preserved abbey sites.
The weekend was dedicated to encounter, discovery, and wonder, offering visitors the chance to (re)discover the restored abbey and its heritage. A varied program with artist performances, activities, and festive moments brought together young and old on the historic site.
Bert Cornillie, alderman for culture of the city, called the event the culmination of fifteen years of intensive restoration work. 'It was special to see so many people come to rediscover the abbey. The Abbey of Park is not only an exceptional piece of heritage but also a place that is alive, brings people together, and inspires,' Cornillie stated. He emphasized the site's potential for Leuven and its visitors, both now and in the future.
The festive opening marks a significant milestone in the history of the Abbey of Park. Following extensive and careful restoration, the nearly 900-year-old abbey site is now almost fully accessible again. The historic buildings, monumental interiors, and centuries-old heritage elements have been restored with respect for their original character while being given a new future as an open and vibrant meeting place.
The international exhibition Interwoven Landscapes, featuring twenty-four contemporary artists engaging in dialogue with the abbey's architecture, history, and landscape, was another highlight. The exhibition unfolds across various historic spaces, from former reception rooms and the impressive library to cloisters and ancient attics.
Wouter Jaspers, director of PARCUM, explained that the exhibition aims to invite visitors to experience the abbey in a different way. 'Contemporary art brings new stories into these historic spaces and encourages a new perspective on the architecture, history, and landscape,' he said. The strong public interest during the opening weekend is a wonderful start for them.
The abbey site remains accessible to the public after the festive opening weekend. The exhibition Interwoven Landscapes can be visited at Museum PARCUM (Abdij van Park 7 in Heverlee) until March 28, 2027, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
