Orval - Abbey Ruins

The remains of the early Gothic monastery church consist of the parts which have survived: the walls and arches of the nave of the choir and the apse, as well as the transepts; the great rose window in the left transept and the slender window arches are striking. Also noteworthy are the Gothic and Romanesque capitals of the pillars. In the choir stands the replica of the tomb of Wenceslas, the first duke of Luxemburg who died in 1383. The monastery buildings adjoin the right side aisle and are entered by way of a flight of steps, at the foot of which the best known abbot of Orval, Bernard de Montgaillard, was buried in 1628. Remains of his grave inscription can be seen on a pillar. The extremely long room was the reading room in which 15,000 books were available; from here we reach the arches of the ancient 18th C. vaulted cellar below the steps which now houses a museum on the history of the monastery.

Returning to the abbey entrance building a look should be taken at the herb garden and the old apothecary in which a museum of medicine has been set up.