The Monastery

Since the 7th Century, Malmedy is the home of an important Benedictine monastery and the town has developed around it.

The monastery has been subjected to a number of transformations and has often been damaged. In the 9th and 10th Centuries, it was raided by the Normans and Hungarians. There have been many fires most importantly in 1521, 1689 and 1782 when the building was either totally or partially destroyed.

The various phases of building work at the monastery can be dated almost down to the day thanks to the availability of archived files and the recent archaeological excavations carried out by the “Association pour la Promotion de l’Archéologie de Stavelot et de la Région liégeoise” (Association for the Promotion of Archeology in Stavelot and the Liège region). In 1708 (date of the West wing), the monastery was rebuilt after the sacking of the town in 1689 by French troops, who destroyed the church and the monastery buildings. In 1782, a part of the East wing was rebuilt after a fire in the abbey quarter that formed a second quadrangle at the exit of the South wing. In the 19th Century, there were two phases of building work on prisons in the North wing. In 1920, the building was extended by the addition of a high school and a comprehensive school, transforming the buildings radically.
Finally, after 1985, following the acquisition of the monastery by the town, further alteration work has taken place.

The West wing of the monastery and the chapter house were destroyed shortly before Christmas in 1944 during the bombardment of the town by the United States Air Force.

Part of the building, restored thanks to financing by the “Ministère de la Région wallonne” (Ministry for the Walloon region) and the “Commissariat au Tourisme” (Commission of Tourism), has been opened to the public since 2005. This has now become the home of the Cathedral Treasury display, an exhibition area and the Paper and Carnival Museums. Work is soon to begin on restoring the attic. Just as the monastery has lost its original appearance, the place offers a timeless backdrop and its brilliantly proportioned architecture invites one to pause for prayer and meditation.

Contact and informations

Imelda HEUSCHEN
Place du Châtelet, 10
4960 Malmedy
080 / 685 536