15 Decoration in wood from the Garden of Olives, Gethsemane

A beautifully designed box says: ‘Wood from the Garden of Olives’. When opened, it reveals a flower arrangement, the leaves of which incorporate powdered wood from the Garden of Olives: Gethsemane. Gethsemane is the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where Jesus prayed during the night before His crucifixion. The Mount of Olives has been an important place of Christian pilgrimage since the 4th century. It is one of the musts on any visit to the Holy Land. The veneration of these places is not, however, location-specific. Holy Land soil, pebbles and water were in circulation throughout Christendom, either as souvenirs or as aids to prayer and contemplation. This box aptly illustrates that those who could not go to the Mount of Olives could easily bring that holy location closer to home.

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PARCUM

In our museum you will find thematic exhibitions at the confluence of religion, art and culture. Exhibitions that bring you face to face with the often unseen heritage of our churches, abbeys and monasteries. In today's multi-religious and highly diverse society, particular attention is paid here to promoting dialogue. Our exhibitions do not provide answers; they encourage thinking and dialogue. PARCUM is much more than a museum. It is also a visit to one of the best preserved abbey complexes in the Benelux.