Old Saint-Winoc Abbey — Local services in Dunkirk

Saint-Winoc went to Bergues during his mission of evangelization of the region, the Counts of Flanders, from 1022, built a Benedictine abbey on the site of the saint’s passage, with mission to guard his precious relics and to promote his worship. Only the Square and Peaked Towers survived the destruction of Saint-Winoc Abbey, acting as a landmark for navigation. The ships entering the Dunkirk Channel took a safe direction by following the two towers of Bergues. In 1812, the Peaked Tower collapsed due to lack of support, and the Ministry of the Navy had it rebuilt. The city bought the site, at the beginning of the 20th century, and turned it into a...

Had a weekend in France for LeTour and thought I’d stop at Berques on the way back to the ferry. It’s a Mediaeval city which I have often passed but never stopped at and decided it was time to have a look round as I had a couple of hours to spare. I headed for the Abbey and surrounding gardens which were very pleasant to see and stroll, then took a walk along the Citadel wall before heading into town for a cold beer, it was a hot day so gratefully received. Worth a visit and might even...

L'Abbaye de Saint-Winoc est un ancien établissement religieux situé à Bergues (Nord), en Flandre maritime, dans l'actuel arrondissement de Dunkerque.

En fait, elle est d'abord un monastère fondé au viie siècle par saint Winoc sur des terres données à proximité des bois de Wormhout par Hérémard[1]. La première implantation ayant été détruite à la suite des raids vikings en France, l'abbaye a été refondée vers 900, quand une église a été construite dans la partie basse de Bergues sous l'impulsion de Baudouin II de Flandre[2]. Ce dernier y amena les reliques de saint Winoc, y plaça des chanoines et dota le chapitre de biens et de privilèges.

L'abbaye de Saint-Winoc, proprement dite, bâtie plus tard au xie siècle, est attachée à l'ordre de Saint-Benoît et au diocèse d'Ypres. Monastère réputé pour ses possessions et sa richesse, l'abbaye disparaît avec la révolution française, et seuls n'en subsistèrent alors que quelques...