Amandinahuis

Amandinahuis is a historic farmstead in Schakkebroek, a hamlet of Herk-de-Stad in the Belgian province of Limburg. It is best known as the birthplace of Saint Amandina, the only Limburg-born saint of modern times. It was here, in 1872, that Maria-Paulina Jeuris was born — a woman who later became a missionary nun in China and was martyred during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. She was declared a saint in 2000, an event that gave her family's farmstead lasting significance as a place of remembrance.

Where does the farmstead's name come from?

The name Amandinahuis refers directly to Sister Amandina, even though the building itself started out as an ordinary farm. The earliest records of structures on the site date to the 1840s, when a small combined dwelling and barn belonged to farmer Melchior Goossens. After his death in 1855, the property passed to Maria-Agnes Thijs, who moved in after marrying Cornelis Jeuris — the couple whose daughter would later become known as Sister Amandina.

How did the farmstead grow over the years?

The real expansion came at the end of the 19th century under owner Lambert Mommen. Starting in 1895, the dwelling house was enlarged and reorganized, and a new wing housing pig stalls was added. In the years that followed, the farm gained a bakehouse in 1907 and a cross-shaped barn in 1909. This layout, typical of regional farm architecture from the turn of the 20th century, has largely survived to the present day and became the basis for the site's later heritage protection.

Why is the site protected today?

On 15 June 2000 — the same year Amandina was canonized — the Flemish Commission for Monuments and Landscapes declared Amandinahuis a protected heritage site. The decision recognized both the architectural value of the timber-framed farm complex and its social and cultural significance as a place tied to the veneration of a local saint.

What did the restoration of the farmstead involve?

The city of Herk-de-Stad committed to a full restoration of the entire building complex, with the total investment reaching 2.7 million euros, partly funded by the Flemish government. The work did not proceed without setbacks: in April 2024 restoration was temporarily halted after a carcinogenic substance was discovered in the building, though it resumed later that same month once the hazard had been removed. The former pig stable was converted into a multipurpose hall, and the site as a whole is intended to eventually function as an experience center dedicated to the history of the location and the story of Saint Amandina.

What can visitors see at Amandinahuis today?

Following the restoration, the complex includes the renovated dwelling house, the former barn, and the converted pig stable now used as an event and meeting space. The building also houses a small museum and a chapel dedicated to the memory of Saint Amandina. Despite the completed renovation, the city has for some time been looking for a catering operator to run a venue within the restored walls, a step meant to bring more life to the site and draw more visitors to Schakkebroek.

Frequently asked questions

What is Amandinahuis? It is a historic farmstead in Schakkebroek near Herk-de-Stad, the birthplace of Saint Amandina, protected as a heritage site since 2000.

Who was Saint Amandina? Born here in 1872 as Maria-Paulina Jeuris, she became a missionary nun and was martyred in China in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion; she was canonized in 2000.

Can you visit Amandinahuis? Yes, after restoration the site serves as a memorial with a museum and chapel, though its catering function is still awaiting an operator.

How much did the restoration cost? The full restoration of the farmstead cost around 2.7 million euros in total.