Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from North Carolina’s famous Christmas Town U.S.A. is another less famous, yet just as inspiring, attraction: a monastery established in the town of Belmont (just across the river from McAdenville) in 1876. This American-Cassinese monastery in North Carolina is worthy of visit, even if you can only tour the campus – and not the buildings.

Upon arrival onto the campus of Belmont College, the first striking thing you’ll see of the Belmont Abbey is the Basilica, the Abbey Church Of Mary Help of Christians – sometimes referred to simply as “Belmont Abbey.”

Robert D. Barnesv / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images But to see the Abbey itself, you’ll need to park across from the Basilica and walk the campus.

That’s because the monastery (barely visible here running along the horizon to the immediate right) is mostly hidden behind the trees in the view from the road.

Google Maps

And what beautiful grounds to explore!

Google/Robin Ann During COVID, the monastery closed its doors to the public and has yet to reopen. But you can still respectfully explore the grounds on foot.

Take your time and look for the details. You can really feel the spiritual energies flowing here at Belmont Abbey.

Flickr/J Voitus

In 2020, the monks (there are 20 in residence at the moment) got busy refreshing the old monastatic garden.

Belmont Abbey Garden It, too, is located on the grounds of the monastery. Be sure to keep an eye open for it to see their progress.

Officially included in the Order of Saint Benedict, the monks at Belmont Abbey (as are all of the monks in this order) were once called the “Black Monks,” referring to the color of their robes (pictured).

Belmont Abbey

The Basilica is an inspiration both from the outside and in.

Google/Joe Arismendy It is listed on the National Register of HIstoric Places. And in 1998, St. John Paul II elevated it to minor Basilica.

If you want to attend mass at the Basilica, you’ll find a schedule of open mass times here.

Google/Joe Arismendy

The monastery at Belmont Abbey is located in the town of Belmont, which sits between two scenic rivers in North Carolina: the Catawba River and the South Fork Catawba River. Carve out some extra time to explore Belmont while you’re here. You can actually view portions of Crowders Mountain from places in this suburban Charlotte city. And this monastery in North Carolina is definitely worthy of visit!

Robert D. Barnesv / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images

But to see the Abbey itself, you’ll need to park across from the Basilica and walk the campus.

Google Maps

Google/Robin Ann

During COVID, the monastery closed its doors to the public and has yet to reopen. But you can still respectfully explore the grounds on foot.

Flickr/J Voitus

Belmont Abbey Garden

It, too, is located on the grounds of the monastery. Be sure to keep an eye open for it to see their progress.

Belmont Abbey

Google/Joe Arismendy

It is listed on the National Register of HIstoric Places. And in 1998, St. John Paul II elevated it to minor Basilica.

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Address: Belmont Abbey, Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont Mt Holly Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA