Thorn: the White Town also tells the history of an abbey
The white façades catch the eye, but the Abdijkerk holds the story of a noble women’s foundation.
Thorn is a village known as ‘Het Witte Stadje’ (the White Town). VVV Hart van Limburg traces its history back to the year 975. According to the local foundation, the protected streetscape, with paving of Maas pebbles, is also part of the place’s cultural and historical value.
According to the Abdijkerk, Count Ansfried and his wife Hilsondis founded a convent. Later only women of high noble descent were admitted to the foundation. The VVV speaks of a history of about eight hundred years of female rule.
The Abdijkerk was formerly the church of that noble foundation and is now a Roman Catholic parish church. According to the VVV, the building is a Gothic cruciform basilica with a Romanesque west work. In the nineteenth century the architect P.J.H. Cuypers restored the south side and added a heavy bell tower.
According to Stichting Thorn 2030, the historic centre has 107 national monuments. The nickname Witte Stadje refers to the white façades. The abbey’s history, however, can be discovered inside the church.
On 15 October the Abdijkerk at Kerkberg 2 is open under the summer schedule: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 16:30.
Adults pay €5 admission, young people aged thirteen to seventeen €2.50. Children up to and including twelve are admitted free when accompanied; the same applies on presentation of the Dutch Museumkaart. According to the church, a visit includes a film about the history of Thorn and the foundation.