Name: Chapel of the White Branch (Kapel Wittentak) Ronse
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Belgium

Flanders

East Flanders

Oudenaarde

Ronse

Chapel of the White Branch (Kapel Wittentak) Ronse

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

East Flanders

Oudenaarde

Ronse

Chapel of the White Branch (Kapel Wittentak) Ronse

Recommended by 46 hikers

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Location: Ronse, Oudenaarde, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Chapel of the White Branch (Kapel Wittentak) Ronse

4.7

(35)

255

hikers

1. Through agricultural area – Scherpenbergbos loop from Ronse - Renaix

6.52km

01:54

170m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.7

(22)

150

hikers

2. Kluisbos Forest – Kwaremont loop from Russeignies

25.7km

07:09

480m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Expert

4.7

(15)

hikers

3. Through Hotond Forest – Scherpenbergbos loop from Ronse - Renaix

16.0km

04:30

330m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Karel Demeulemeester

September 16, 2021

Wittentak Chapel

A long time ago, an oak stood on the north side of the city, with a white branch overshadowing a statue of Saint Mary. This oak was located on the top corner of Kapellestraat and Meulekensstraat.

A first building would be erected there in 1637.

In 1952, an inscription was found on the statue during the restoration. The Roman numerals mentioned the year 1439. This confirms that the veneration of Our Lady of Wittentak is more than 13 years older than that of Kerselare. Numerous pilgrims came to the Scherpenberg every year. In 1636 the bubonic plague broke out. O.a. Kortrijk and Ronse had a hard time. The residents promised that if the epidemic disappeared, the statue would be given a more dignified home. The disease subsided from that moment on and in 1639 the construction of the chapel started. A stone with the date October 19, 1639 refers to the dedication by Antonius Triest, bishop of Ghent. The chapel was dedicated to Our Lady and St. Roch, patron saint against contagious diseases. Like all buildings, the chapel has not escaped the ravages of time. For example, the novena of 1889 could no longer take place there due to the risk of collapse.

The old chapel, with its various styles (including rococo and Gothic) was completely demolished in 1892. David Cambier had donated land 500 meters next to the original site of the oak for a new chapel. Work started in 1891. On Saturday, July 3, 1891, Dean Mortier of St. Hermes was able to lay the foundation stone. On this stone we find a cross and the year 1891. Exactly one year later, on Sunday, July 3, 1892, the solemn dedication took place amid massive interest. Inside the chapel we find the altarpiece. The house R. Rooms from Ghent took care of the delivery of statues, furniture and the four candlesticks. The neo-Gothic windows are younger and date from the beginning of the 20th century. In the later stained glass windows we recognize Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Godelieve, Saint Elisabeth, Saint Aloisius, Blessed Margaret and Saint Joseph. Images of healed body parts were also hung in a special cupboard. An active "White Branch Committee" ensured that an open-air Stations of the Cross could be consecrated in 1984.

Practical:

Address: Kapellestraat, 9600 Ronse.

from March to October: open every day

from November to February: closed

Source: ontdekronse.be/nl/kapel-wittentak

Translated by Google •

Erwin D.R

January 24, 2023

Quiet clean place, where you can reflect for a while!

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 140 m

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Thursday 18 September

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Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

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Location: Ronse, Oudenaarde, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Chapel of the White Branch (Kapel Wittentak) Ronse

1. Through agricultural area – Scherpenbergbos loop from Ronse - Renaix

2. Kluisbos Forest – Kwaremont loop from Russeignies

3. Through Hotond Forest – Scherpenbergbos loop from Ronse - Renaix

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