Art Nouveau gem
Step into the enchanting world of the former international boarding school for girls in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver. Walk among the impressive highlights of the historic building complex and visit the breathtaking Winter Garden from 1900 in art-nouveau style. The magnificent stained-glass dome creates a magical play of light and colour and is guaranteed to impress.
Resplendent Art Nouveau
We have no idea what prompted the Ursuline nuns in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver to make the rather bold decision to build this truly magnificent Art Nouveau building. After all, this style was considered hyper-modern in 1900. And yet, this enchanting Winter Garden with its colourful stained glass cupola was considered the most stunning feature of their boarding school for young girls from good families. What’s even more intriguing is that nobody knows who designed the Winter Garden. And yet the architect’s design skills are unparalleled.
Don’t believe us? Well, come take a look for yourself because this is Art Nouveau at its most resplendent.
It’s always spring in the winter garden
Entering the Winter Garden feels like a never-ending spring. Just look around at the enchanting interaction between light and colour! Rays of gold shoot across the multi-coloured glass cupola. It has a Morning, Day and Evening side, which are popular themes in Art Nouveau. The glass panes are simply teeming with plants and animals. And because it is, after all, a garden, there are also several ferns, plants and flowers.
Step into a different world
The Winter Garden is part of a magnificent listed complex, which is a stunning mix of architectural styles including Art Nouveau with neo-Gothic elements, neo-Empire style and Art Deco. It’s as if you have stepped into a different world. Names like the Empire Corridor, the Alpine Room, the La Fontaine refectory, the Piano Gallery and the Grand Staircase will spark your imagination.
Guided group visit
The Winter Garden of the Ursulines is a great place to discover with a group of friends, colleagues or family members. Associations are also welcome. To ensure the time slot of your choice for your group, be sure to book a guided tour in good time. You will get to see the La Fontaine refectory, the church corridor and monastery church, the flower corridor and the unique piano gallery. These places are not included in the individual experience trail.
- Duration: 2h
- Group size: 20/guide (min. 15 pers.)
Languages: Dutch, French, English, plus German, Spanish, Italian on request
Accessibility
The site is wheelchair accessible and has an adapted toilet. The experience trail is mainly on the ground floor. The trail on the first floor is not accessible to wheelchairs, but can be experienced on a tablet thanks to an app.
There is no lift in the building. People who have difficulty walking should consider that there are about 100 steps. During the visit, however, there are several stops where visitors can sit and take a break.
For the blind and visually impaired, the audio guide offers an all-round experience. A tactile model illustrates the size of the Ursuline Institute as a whole. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Contact
- Phone +32 15 75 77 28
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Address
Bosstraat 9
2861 Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver
Belgium - Email info@visitwintertuin.be
Opening hours
- Guided group visit (after reservation) Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00 and on Sunday mornings.
available in Dutch, French, English. German, Spanish and Italian are only available on request. - The walk-in tours are available on Saturday and Sunday in Dutch (1pm) and English and French (2pm)
- The garden is closed from December until February
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