Orval

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For other uses, see Orval (disambiguation).

Orval monastery is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 located in Belgium in the Gaume region. The monastery is well-known by its history and spiritual life but also for its local production of a trappist beer (see Brasserie d'Orval) and a specific trappist cheese.

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History of Orval

Image:Orval-entryview-winter20032004.png In 1070, monks from Italy settled in the county of Chiny in Belgium. The construction of a church and a small village had started at that time. After a short period of ten years, the initial monks moved away. The reasons for this are unknown, but may be related to the death of the landowner. They were replaced by a community of canons (another type of monks).

In 1132, the canons ran into various troubles and seven monks arrived as ordered by Constantin. The two communities formed a single community under the Cistercians usage.

Around 1252, the monastery was destroyed by a fire; the rebuilding (of the monastery and of the community of Orval) took around 100 years.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the various wars between France and various neighbouring regions (Burgundy, Spain) had an important impact on Orval. At one stage a foundry was established on the site.

In the 17th century, the monastery converted to the Trappist branch of the order, but reverted back to the main order in around 1785. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the monastery was completely burnt down, in retaliation for the hospitality that was provided to Austrian troops.

In 1887, the land and ruins were acquired by the Harenne family. They donated the lands to the Cistercian order in 1926 so that monastic life could resume on the site. Between 1926 and 1948, the new abbey was constructed, and in 1935 Orval regained the rank of abbey. On 8 September 1948, the church was consecrated.

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The legend of Orval

The name Orval and the logo traces itself back to a legend in the early days of the monastery. Mathilda of Tuscany was visiting the site to observe the construction of the first monastery. When she put her hands into a spring on the site, the widow's wedding ring slipped off and was lost. She was devastated as the ring was of great sentimental value. After praying for the return of the ring, a trout appeared on the surface of the water with the ring in its mouth. She exclaimed "Truly this place is a Val d'Or" and decided to assist the monks with a great financial contribution to the building.

The monastery logo shows the trout and ring, and the name Orval is derived from the French Val d'Or'.

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