The Abbey of Averbode in Flemish-Brabant, Belgium, was founded in 1134 on initiative of Arnold II, Count of Loon. The church was built between 1664 and 1672 and is a synthesis of Baroque and Gothic, with Renaissance ornament details.

It's a nice place to visit, especially in combination with the nearby nature reserve. The abbey also runs a cafe and shop where they sell their own gingerbread, cheese, bread and beer.

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This Lourdes grotto in the garden of the Sint-Augustinus nursing home in Berlaar was built in 1912 and got decorated in 1915. Earlier it was also decorated with a church on the top of the grotto.

A Lourdes grotto is a replica of the original grotto at Lourdes, France or a grotto honouring "Our Lady of Lourdes" unassociated with the Lourdes site. St. Bernadette saw "Our Lady" (Mary, mother of Jesus) in this grotto in 1858. In place of the Marian apparition, a Madonna figure adorns the grotto. The original figure was created by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch in 1864 according to Bernadette's instructions.

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