Urban exploration - The Amay Priory
This page is a documentary about the Amay Priory. It is a decommissioned real estate complex located in the center of the small town of Amay, along the banks of the Meuse river. Embedded within the ancient built environment, it is deeply integrated into the urban fabric. It represents an urban block of significant importance, as it structures the town center—a role amplified by its dominant position on the steep slopes.
As is often the case along the Meuse, the northern banks consist of sharp inclines. The priory is built upon a spur, a location that offers an extraordinary view. While from the Place Grégoire it is all one can see, the view of Amay from the building's attics is well worth the detour and then some. The priory is an architectural ensemble with ancient roots, though its historical timeline is long and complex. One must be careful not to romanticize the site: due to countless restructurings, what we see today is essentially the structure of a desacralized building dating back to 1904.
Early History and the Medieval Spur
In the mists of the past, the site was occupied by a castle, about which we know next to nothing. The perimeter of said castle—now the priory park—was likely the old town borough. Of these elements, no architectural remains appear to survive, though construction work could potentially uncover ancient foundations. A view of Amay from 1738, created by Mathieu-Antoine Xhrouet, confirms that the medieval castle no longer existed by that date. Instead, the site was occupied by a perched church, extending from the Saint-Georges and Sainte-Ode Collegiate Church.
The central part of the current priory was constructed later. It is established that in 1786, the Lord Messire Louis-Charles-François Lallemant, Count of Lévignan, resided there. On the Ferraris map of 1777, the structure facing Rue Pascal Dubois is already built. The mapped layout matches today's configuration, although some recent constructions have since been added. The listed portal is indisputably from that period. On the Vandermaelen map of 1850, however, the details remain vague.
Religious Transitions
Data remains somewhat blurry for the following period, likely due to a peaceful history. Much later, in 1892, the Sisters of St. Charles settled there. This was short-lived, as they left just three years later. Two contractors, Braibant and Gabriel, took possession of the site and initiated profound transformations. In 1904, a large part of the current building was erected, as evidenced by a commemorative plaque at the former entrance. The site was consecrated on August 11, 1904.
Until 1927, the site was occupied by Carmelite nuns, and the religious edifice was named the Carmel of the Reparation. After being decommissioned, it was taken over by Benedictine monks. In 1940, the occupants were driven out by the German army, which requisitioned the site. In 1942, nuns settled there once again, under the name "The Messengers of Peace" (Les Messagères de la Paix).
Modern Use and Abandonment
The aforementioned religious establishment merged with the Sisters of Saint Augustine in 1969. On this occasion, the priory was desacralized and transformed into a Catholic retirement and nursing home. The home, known as Le Foyer de la Charité (founded April 28, 1931), established its base on the site, which continues to be called "the Priory" in common parlance.
On June 27, 2001, a fire broke out in a room, likely due to a resident's negligence. A total disaster was narrowly avoided, given the extreme difficulty of accessing the housing (a challenge that persists today due to the tightly nested, ancient structures). In 2008, under the management of the Christian Association of Social and Health Institutions, the facility was moved to the Notre-Dame de Tihange establishment. The Priory site was then completely abandoned. In 2009, the buildings were purchased by the Horizon de Visé real estate group, with plans to repurpose the site into 44 high-quality housing units.
