De Monnikendijk
About this location
Between Kloetinge and Kapelle lies the Monnikendijk, an ancient dike in the clay landscape of Zuid-Beveland. Cyclists and walkers crossing it do not immediately realise they are travelling on a piece of history. The dike was built by monks, constructed from 1190 by the Cistercians from the abbey of Ter Doest near Bruges.
After the storm flood of 1134 the area around Kattendijke was embanked again. The monks settled at the bishop's invitation in the outlying farm Monsterhoek, a monastic farm with barn and chapel, and from there began building dikes, including the Monnikendijk. As practical experts in water management they quickly acquired tens of hectares of land for fruit growing.
In 1582 the abbey lost its possessions during the Revolt, and in the seventeenth century the outlying farm disappeared. Yet the Monnikendijk still lies there, kilometres long, as a silent witness to that medieval embanking, with the Monnikenhof farmhouse as a reminder of what once was.