The city of Geel has had the deserved honorary title of "Merciful City" since 1985.
The history of Geel is intimately linked to Saint Dimpna. According to legend, this Irish king's daughter was murdered here by her father sometime in the distant Middle Ages because she refused to give in to his incestuous requests. Over time, her martyrdom caused an influx of mentally ill people and their companions who came from far and wide on pilgrimage to Geel.
Many mentally ill people found accommodation with the residents, partly because they often had to wait their turn to attend the divine services specially arranged for them or simply because they wanted to stay for a longer period of time in the vicinity of the place where the relics of the found holy.
Receiving and caring for those pilgrims became a Geel specialty.

The fact that Geel bears the honorary title of 'Merciful City' is a merit that stems from the age-old careful care of the mentally ill. Family nursing still exists. On the site where the first infirmary was built some 150 years ago, there is now a large complex with several departments to accommodate and treat all kinds of psychiatric patients: the Public Psychiatric Care Center.

Source: geel.be/echte-dimpna-en-gezinsverpleging

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Raymond

May 15, 2022

This is a beautiful nature reserve that is often impassable by bicycle due to the drought and loose sand. Furthermore, nature restoration works are underway, with certain areas being marred by fences.

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Roger

April 27, 2025

nice to have a drink once in a while

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Location: Geel, Turnhout, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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