The Premises of UNU-CRIS
UNU-CRIS has its premises at the historical site of the Abbey of Ter Duinen, now known as Grootseminarie Brugge, Potterierei 72, 8000 Bruges. All UNU-CRIS offices, the library and the common room are situated on the 2nd floor of the main building.
The Abbey of the Dunes, or “Ter Duinen”, was established in 1128 in Koksijde, in the hospitable Flemish coastal region, and grew into one of the most prestigious Cistercian abbeys in medieval Europe. For centuries, it remained closely associated with its two fellow establishments: Clairmarais (founded 1137) near the tower of Saint-Omer in Northern France, and Ter Doest (founded 1175) in Lissewege. As early as the 13th century, Ter Doest and Ter Duinen also had a firm foothold in Bruges, a metropolis at the time. The refuge of Ter Doest was located on this site, on the stretch of water connecting the port city of Bruges with the sea. The 16th Century signalled a reversal of fortune. The Community of Ter Doest ceased to exist, and that of Ter Duinen was forced to give up its ruined abbey.
In 1624, the Abbey of the Dunes took over the Ter Doest estate, and thus also the site of the refuge, and immediately chose this as the site on which to erect a completely new abbey. Building got underway in 1628, and the first phase of construction ran until 1642.
It was a monumental baroque building that was only completed in the late 18th century. The Abbey of the Dunes was closed down in 1796 and, in 1833, was given a new vocation, as an Episcopal Seminary. For many years, the authorities of the Province of West Flanders have used the second floor of the main building as its archive. When the archive moved to new premises in 2003, this opened the way for UNU-CRIS to be located here.
Accessibility
Thanks to its favourable location, Bruges can easily be reached by car, train, ship and even plane. Ghent is at 30 minutes by car, Brussels at 1 hour. The most up-to-date information can be found on the city of Bruges' website.
Upon arriving at the railway station of Bruges, a taxi or bus will take you to Langerei, the street that runs parallel to Potterierei, where UNU-CRIS is situated. Leave the bus at Sabbestraat stop and take a short walk to our premises at Potterierei 72.
For bus service information: www.delijn.be.