Former Mariadal Monastery - Roosendaal

Mariadal Monastery was built in 1934 as the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Mariadal. This congregation was founded in 1832 by Sister Marie Joseph, born Maria Raaymakers from Sint-Oedenrode. The monastery was built in the Delft School style. Behind the building is a chapel that is considered a fine example of brick expressionism. It is surrounded by a large convent garden, walled and laid out in a strict geometric pattern. The garden contains a cemetery and a small devotional chapel. Both the convent and the surrounding wall are listed as national monuments.

The sisters were active in education, upbringing, pastoral care and various forms of care, both in the Netherlands and in Curaçao, Bonaire, Suriname and Chile. In 2011, they moved to the Mariastede convent, which is adjacent to the Sint Elisabeth residential care centre in Roosendaal. This gave their long history a new home, but their influence and work remain recognisable.

Photo: ©Brabant Partners