Lourdes Grotto

On the north side of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ten-Poelkerk is a Lourdes grotto, which is still a place of reflection for many Tienen residents.In 1858, Our Lady appeared several times to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes. These apparitions were the immediate reason to start making Lourdes caves in many places. Likewise in Tienen. In May 1873, the former home of Louis Jamodt was converted into a Lourdes cave for the worship of Our Lady of the Pool.
One of the springs that fed the Haspoel is located at the bottom of the stairs. Behind a fence, the source is bubbling, which is mentioned as early as 1465 as 'onser Vrouwen boernne'.Source: izi.travel/nl/5300-tienen-vrouwenwandel-3-9-km/nl#06b9d6dc-0ebd-4946-ad32-2ff03fbd081f

You enter and exit the cave via rather large stairs and see all kinds of thank-you notes from believers who once came here. At the entrance of the cave (on the right) there is also a frame with some explanation about Our Lady of the Pool. According to that sign, the remains of a pious man named Thierry were found around 1050. He came from Campen and was a lecturer at the University of Paris. He had also made a promise of eternal chastity to the Virgin Mary. A chapel was built at the site of the murder with the permission of Jan I, Duke of Brabant. And he was baptized, you guessed it, Our Lady of the Pool. Hundreds of pilgrims would come to Tienen and the chapel every year to venerate the Virgin Mary, who was soon regarded as the Queen of the city and its surroundings. And you can read and experience the rest here, in the immediate vicinity of the church and – literally – in the depths when you go down the stairs.

No one will stop you from stopping at the cave...