Saint Sixtus Abbey in historical perspective

A brooklet coming from far away ...

On the flank of the Catsberg, just beyond the 'Schreve', rises the Vleterbeek, which waters Westvleteren. But in 1831 another brooklet found its way to Westvleteren: the prior of the just founded Catsberg monastery and a few of his monks moved to the woods of Saint Sixtus to settle with Jan-Baptist Victoor, a recluse. A new Cistercian monastery was born: the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus in Westvleteren.

Historical sources tell us that in the course of time three monasteries had been built in or around the same place before the present abbey was built there.
Probably the 'Cella Beborna' mentioned in the act of 806 (from the abbey of Sint-Omaars), must have been situated in the same area.
From 1260 to 1355 there was a small community of sisters.
From 1610 to 1784 there was a monastery of fathers-Birgitans on 'Fathers' Corner'.
A real spiritual relay race through the centuries!

monument for Jan-Baptist Victoor in the heart of the abbey

	General historical survey ...

	Cella Beborna
	Domus Sancti Sixti Westfleternes (AD 1260-1355)
	The Birgittans (1615-1784)
	The Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus (1831- ?)