Want to take a breather?

Then you are welcome to Klooster Westerhûs; a monumental farmhouse converted into a modern monastery. This ancient place is located in the middle of the Frisian countryside and is characterized by peace and quiet, space and views of meadows and clouds. Although Klooster Westerhûs is just below Leeuwarden and Hilaard is easily accessible by bus, all you see in the distance are the silhouettes of villages and the spires of church towers. Here you can look far away and at the same time look deep inside.

The Nijkleaster monastic community offers its guests to participate in a fixed monastic rhythm of prayer and work, of silence, reflection and connection.

Nijkleaster wants to offer at Klooster Westerhûs a safe place where you can come to yourself. The fixed rhythm and components of the day guarantee (inner) peace and space. From the physical awakening to the evening celebration, care for body and soul are central. The three celebrations, vegetarian meals and other activities alternate in a beneficial balance. And, of course, there is work and fun.

The monastery and gardens

During your stay, you have access to your own room. Each room has two beds, so you can also book one room together. In the farmhouse the common areas are: the dining room and small kitchen, the library, the upstairs room, the chapel and the meditation attic. The buildings are surrounded by several gardens such as a herb garden, vegetable garden, flower garden, orchard and a food garden (under construction).

The Nijkleaster monastic community is part of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. It is an open monastery with an ecumenical calling and, as such, aims to offer hospitality to people from various churches and traditions. All services take place in the indoor or outdoor chapel of Westerhûs Monastery. For the morning services on Sundays and Wednesdays, we go to the church in Jorwert, followed by the 'Nijkleasterkuier'.

The basic principle is that costs should not be an obstacle to a stay. In that case you can appeal to our Compassion Fund

Head-necked monastery

The head-neck-torso farmhouse contains the communal areas for shared use: the Popmakamer (living room), the large and small kitchens, the dining room, the library and upstairs room, the meditation attic, and the chapel. Newly built are the nine guest rooms (suitable for one or two people) and the residences for the monks.

The grounds offer plenty of space with various gardens: the orchard, the courtyard garden with cloister, the herb garden, the vegetable and flower garden, and the food garden (under construction). Here you can 'hear' the silence, here you can 'see' the darkness at night. Wikipedia has a page dedicated to the old monumental farmhouse 'It Westerhûs'.

Experience the rhythm of the monastery

Six monastics live permanently in the monastic houses on the monastery. Together with the monastics who live "outside the gate" and with other volunteers, they live in a fixed rhythm of celebrations, meals, work and relaxation. As a guest, you are invited to experience the rhythm of this modern monastery.

Our mission is to create a place where you can retreat individually and/or in groups in peace, to catch your breath and to reflect. At the same time, it wants to be a place where you can meet in liturgy and conversation, silence and walking, fun and recreation.

There is a guest brochure in each guest room. You can also already read and/or download that information here: Guest Brochure Monastery Westerhûs.

Daily rhythm: Daily rhythm Monastery Westerhûs.

Companies, teams for a midweek

Organizations, groups, management teams, companies are welcome at Klooster Westerhûs, for more information read on here.

Sustainability and Nijkleaster

During the construction of Klooster Westerhûs, the monumental farmhouse and the archaeological monument of the mound were treated with respect. Moreover, we have tried to realize a sustainable project by, among other things, reusing building materials, installing 143 solar panels (there is no gas connection) and collecting rainwater through the roof. We use that rainwater for the toilets in the monastery complex, washing machines and outdoor faucets. Seven wells were drilled in the monastery garden for our heat pump.

So it is only natural that we try to live as sustainably as possible. We use energy, water and earth sparingly.

We at Klooster Westerhûs treat our wastewater ourselves in our own large septic tank (IBA) Therefore, we use only ecologically sound cleaning agents and hygienic products. We ask our guests to strictly follow this policy. You can possibly purchase a bar of soap at monastery Westerhûs (from Zeepfabriek Suver). More information on sustainability ambitions read here.

Nutrition and Nijkleaster

The clergy, volunteers and guests eat all meals together in the dining hall. During breakfast we preserve the silence that runs from evening celebration to morning celebration (10 p.m. - 10 a.m.). Vegetarian food is served at convent Westerhûs. Special dietary needs please let us know early. We encourage an economy of organic, locally produced and/or fair trade products.

Costs for a retreat

During a retreat at Klooster Westerhûs, you will stay in one of the guest rooms and have access to all facilities in and around the farm. The price includes the program, vegetarian meals, fruit, coffee, and tea. The costs for a retreat can be found on the reservation page.

We would like to offer everyone the opportunity to be our guest at Klooster Westerhûs. If the costs are too burdensome, please appeal to our compassion fund: compassion fund - Nijkleaster

If you have any questions or would like to visit with a group, please send an email to reservering@nijkleaster.frl or call: T:+31 (0)58 7009 743