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

Translated by Google •

September 7, 2024

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.

Translated by Google •

Jeff S

January 7, 2024

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

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 80 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 29 October

14°C

8°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Tienen, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Rozendaalbeekvallei Pond

Paddepoel Nature Reserve

Stairs in the Rolling Landscape

Sint-Hymelinus Spring

Domaine d'Hélécine

Celis Watermill

Drie Tumuli of Grimde

De Pallox Observation Tower

Van kerkruïne naar militaire begraafplaats

Path Along the Meandering Velpe

Menepad langs de Mene

Sashuisje

Lourdes Grotto

1. Stadspark – Begijnhof en Begijnhofkerk loop from Bost

2. Town Hall – Church of Our Lady ten Poel loop from Tienen

3. City Park – Church of Our Lady ten Poel loop from Bost

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️