Roosendael Abbey (the abbey of the valley of roses) was a community of
Cistercian nuns, founded in the 13th century on the banks of the
River Nete in the
Duchy of Brabant, at a location now in
Sint-Katelijne-Waver. The monastery was established in or before 1227 by the nobleman
Gillis Berthout, according to later tradition for his daughters Elizabeth and Oda. An early member of the community who gave it a wider reputation for sanctity was Blessed
Ida of Louvain.