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Hermitage of Bolderberg

Hermitage of Bolderberg

Highlight • Religious Site

Hermitage of Bolderberg

Recommended by 251 hikers out of 257

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Location: Heusden-Zolder, Hasselt, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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2. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Zolder

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3. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Stokrooie

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Tips

Dominiek Van Dooren

January 1, 2025

Lambert Hoelen, a pious man from Zolder, went on a pilgrimage to Rome and Loreto (Italy) in 1670 and 1672. According to tradition, this is where the house of Mary stands, which the di Angeli family had brought over from the Holy Land. Lambert Hoelen was so impressed by the simplicity of this holy house that he wanted to rebuild it himself when he returned home. Ferdinand, Count zu Inhausen und Kniphausen, Baron of the Free Land of Vogelsanck and Lord of Zolder, granted Lambert Hoelen permission on 16 January 1673 to build a hermitage and chapel within his country on the highest point of the region, namely on the top of the Bolderberg in Zolder, “in accordance with the form and greeting” of the holy house of Mary in Loreto. Lambert Hoelen became the first hermit of Bolderberg. He had twelve followers until 1880.
The hermitage and the chapel became a popular place of pilgrimage. On 15 May 1679, Pope Innocent XI ratified the establishment of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Loreto on the Bolderberg by means of a papal bull.
(Facebook page Lambert Hoelen Reus van Bolderberg)

Translated by Google •

September 10, 2020

The Kluis is located on top of the Bolderberg. This was once the secluded home of a hermit. De Kluis dates from 1673 and consists of a chapel that was built according to the plans of the chapel of Our Lady of Loreto and a few living rooms. The ancient beech trees in the area are impressive. The natural forests on the hill do have a few beech trees here and there, but they are mainly oak and birch—typical of acidic soils. Near the Kluis you have a beautiful view of Terlaemen Castle (private property, not accessible).
The garden of De Kluis is surrounded by old hornbeams that have been pruned very carefully. The 7 lime trees planted in a semicircle in front of the building symbolize the 7 sorrows of Mary. By the way, this image is
on top of the chapel's facade.

Translated by Google •

Katrien

February 26, 2022

More than 300 years ago, in 1673, Lambert Hoelen, born in Diepenbeek, built a chapel on the mountain with a tower “in the form and size of the prescribed house in Loreto in Italy”

The tower and part of that chapel are still there today.

The hermitage was uninhabited from 1739 to 1801. A period in which private residents kept the safe straight. Not so in 1794, when French Sansculottes caused extensive destruction, followed by plundering residents.

Jan Moors restores the hermitage and builds additional living space, bringing the hermitage into “florissant condition” from 1801 onwards.

Because the hermits chose the wrong side in the School Battle (1880), they were allowed to leave immediately and the hermit's existence ended here in Bolderberg. The vault falls into serious disrepair.

Source: bolderberg.be/nl/dorp/de-kluis

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 60 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 26 October

10°C

7°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Location: Heusden-Zolder, Hasselt, South Limburg, Flanders, Belgium

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Hermitage of Bolderberg

1. Hamel Pond – Hermitage of Bolderberg loop from Stokrooie

2. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Zolder

3. Galgenberg Forest – panoramic view loop from Stokrooie

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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