Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel

The basilica of Scherpenheuvel is the oldest domed church in the Low Countries and was consecrated in 1627 by the Archbishop of Mechelen, Jacobus Boonen. The church was elevated to the status of basilica in 1922 and has been a protected monument since 1952. It was built on the initiative of the Archdukes Albert of Austria and Isabella, who stayed just opposite the basilica in the still existing house "het Gulden Vlies" during their visits to Scherpenheuvel. The dome has no light openings and is sealed with lead. It is decorated with 298 seven-pointed gold-plated stars. The side chapels are built in white stone from nearby Langdorp. The square tower, with a 49-bell carillon, is built of sandstone. This church had to be seen, so the architect added extra color to the convex dome on top of the hill with 298 guilder stars with seven points. To make the picture truly unforgettable, the most expensive materials were also liberally used inside the church. The stone angels, prophets and evangelists of the brothers de Nole and the beautiful paintings by Theodoor van Loon complete the picture.
In addition to images, there was of course also sound. In the bell tower of the basilica is a carillon with 49 bells.
The beating heart of Scherpenheuvel is surrounded by drinking and dining options and shops and stalls that live to the rhythm of the pilgrimage season. The bond between city and church seems unbreakable, because without the one the other could never have existed. Not far from the basilica you can visit the well. This well dates from 1632 and provided Scherpenheuvel with drinking water. Before that time people had to go to Zichem for this.
Water was extracted from the 62 meter deep well by means of a running wheel. In the second half of the nineteenth century, a small building was built around the well to protect it from the elements. This can be viewed and 62 meters is really very deep, you can experience this by the usual ritual by dropping a coin and seeing when it hits the water!

The history of Scherpenheuvel has been linked to the veneration of Mary since the Middle Ages, when an oak in the shape of a cross stood on the hilltop between Zichem and Diest. A pious man then hung a statue of Mary on the oak and from now on many people came to pray there. According to legend, when a shepherd's servant wanted to take the statue, he was nailed to the ground until a visitor placed the statue back on the tree.
In 1602, a wooden chapel was built in front of the oak and in 1604, after a first visit by the Archdukes Albrecht and Isabella the year before, this became a larger stone chapel. The following year, the Archdukes Albrecht and Isabella took the initiative to build the current Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel in gratitude for the expulsion of the Calvinists from the Southern Netherlands.
(Wikipedia)

Scherpenheuvel has been an important pilgrimage site for Catholic believers since the 16th century and is still the most visited pilgrimage site in Belgium to this day.
Inside the basilica is a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, which is said to be miraculous.
The basilica is surrounded by a beautiful and special heptagonal square.
The valuable Stations of the Cross and Mary's Stations behind the basilica are an original walk.
Also visit the remarkable well, candle chapel and stalls with souvenirs and local products in the square.
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