The St. Bernard Abbey of Hemiksem was a Cistercian abbey. The Bernardines began building the abbey in 1243, laying the foundation of clay mining and brickmaking in the Rupel region. The abbey has a rich history and functioned as a hospital, prison, and army storehouse, among other things. Now it is a protected monument and besides the town hall of Hemiksem, you will also find two museums; the Heemmuseum and the Gilliot- and Roelants Tegelmusuem.
