Winter Garden of the Ursuline nuns for Groups

An Art Nouveau gem

Resplendent Art Nouveau

We have no idea what prompted the Ursuline nuns in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver to make the rather bold decision to build this truly magnificent Art Nouveau building. After all, this style was considered hyper-modern in 1900. And yet, this enchanting Winter Garden with its colourful stained glass cupola was considered the most stunning feature of their boarding school, for young girls from good families. What’s even more intriguing is that nobody knows who designed the Winter Garden. And yet the architect’s design skills are unparalleled.

Don’t believe us? Well, come take a look for yourself because this is Art Nouveau at its most resplendent.

It’s always spring in the winter garden

Entering the Winter Garden feels like a never-ending spring. Just look around at the enchanting interaction between light and colour! Rays of gold shoot across the multi-coloured glass cupola. It has a Morning, Day and Evening side, which are popular themes in Art Nouveau. The glass panes are simply teeming with plants and animals. And because it is a garden after all there are also several ferns, plants and flowers.

Step into a different world

The Winter Garden is part of a magnificent listed complex, which is a stunning mix of architectural styles including Art Nouveau with neo-Gothic elements, neo-Empire style and Art Deco. It’s as if you have stepped into a different world. Names like the Empire Corridor, the Alpine Room, the La Fontaine refectory, the Piano Gallery and the Grand Staircase will spark your imagination.

Guided group visit

The Winter Garden of the Ursulines is the ideal place to discover with a group of friends, colleagues or family members. Associations are also welcome. To ensure the time slot of your choice for your group, be sure to book a guided tour in good time. You will get to see the La Fontaine refectory, the church corridor and monastery church, the flower corridor and the unique piano gallery. These places are not included in the individual experience trail.

Price

There is an additional service charge of €60 per booking.

Practical

• A group consists of max. 20 people. More than 20 people? The group will be split.
• Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 15:00 and on Sunday mornings.
• Guided group tours are available in Dutch, French, English. German, Spanish and Italian are only available on request.
• Duration is about is 2 hours

Accessibility

The site is wheelchair-accessible and has an adapted toilet. The experience trail is mainly on the ground floor. The trail on the first floor is not accessible to wheelchairs, but can be experienced on a tablet thanks to an app.

There is no lift in the building. People who have difficulty walking should consider that there are about 100 steps. During the visit, however, there are several stops where visitors can sit and pause.

For the blind and visually impaired, the audio guide offers an all-round experience. A tactile model illustrates the size of the Ursuline Institute as a whole. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

Contact

vzw Wintertuin OLV-Waver
Bosstraat 9
2861 Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver
T +32 (0)15 75 77 28

E info@visitwintertuin.be
W www.visitwintertuin.be 

Getting there

By public transport

Take the train to Mechelen station. Then take bus 510 or 511. Get off at the ‘Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver Kerk’ stop, 200 m from the Ursuline Institute. The bus ride takes about 25 minutes. Plan your route here.

By bike

The Winter Garden is close to bike node 36. there is a route of about 30 km from the centre of Mechelen to the Winter Garden.

By car

The Ursuline Institute is located in the heart of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver. Some free parking spaces are reserved for visitors to the Winter Garden next to the site entrance. 

Location

vzw Wintertuin van de Ursulinen
Bosstraat 9A, 2861 Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver