Saint Anthony Chapel Salphen

This chapel dates back to 1626 and was founded when the plague raged through the region. People who died of the disease were not allowed to be buried in the provided cemetery and were buried here in the forest. A resident from Salphen who lost some children to the plague decided to establish the chapel. The chapel soon became a center of attraction for pilgrims and for that reason was enlarged to its current state in 1726. A beautiful dirt road starts from this chapel, which meanders along ancient forests and stunning views.

The chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony Abbot on the hamlet of Salphen was built in 1626 by Adriaan Mattheussen following a plague epidemic. Some parishioners of Oostmalle and Wechelderzande are said to have fled to Salphen in 1625 out of fear of the plague. The chapel was built for these believers. After all, Saint Anthony the Abbot was especially venerated against contagious diseases. The chapel would have an extra crowd in times of plague. In 1726 it had to be enlarged. January 17, the feast day of Saint Anthony, was particularly celebrated in the chapel. Presumably on that day the relic of Saint Anthony was exhibited to the faithful. This relic has been housed in the chapel since 1750. There was also an indulgence to be earned on the holiday.

The chapel was founded in 1626. At that time, the region was plagued by a plague epidemic. Legend has it that about 60 inhabitants of Oostmalle fled from the village with the disease to the heath on Zalfen. Adriaan Mattheeusen, a resident of Zalfen, who lost some of his children to the epidemic, was obliged to bury them in the heathland and erected a chapel in commemoration. Soon the chapel was used for funeral services and the dead were buried in the adjacent cemetery. The chapel quickly became a magnet for pilgrims. For this reason it was enlarged to its present appearance in 1726 (see the upper part in the side wall dated by means of sintered stone).