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Beautiful view over the surroundings

A ride on the little train is a wonderful surprise for all ages. And those who want and are able can climb the tower, where a magnificent view of the former coal-mining region awaits.

The 31-meter-high observation tower is a replica of the drilling rig André Dumont used to extract the first coal in 1901. This tower is located at the As station and is free to visit. It offers a panoramic view of the station site and the surrounding National Park.

In 2019, the Lourdes Grotto Committee and the Niel-bij-As parish celebrated the 75th anniversary of their Lourdes Grotto. It is located on Grotstraat (how could it be otherwise). In 1943, Louis Pillards made a solemn promise to Our Lady to make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, but due to the Second World War, he was unable to fulfill his promise. Therefore, he decided to build their own Lourdes Grotto together with his wife Anna Vandeurzen. Anna Berger-Vandeurzen, whose first husband had died and was now married to Louis Pillards, donated the necessary land to the parish, and Louis drew a design sketch for the grotto. Together with a number of volunteers, they traveled by horse and cart to collect pebbles from the heathland on the border between Lanklaar and As. Construction began in 1943, and the grotto was blessed in 1944. Thanks to the Zwartberg mine, they obtained the necessary cement, which was very difficult to obtain in those days. Statues of Mary, Bernadette, and even an angel were provided. In the small tower atop the grotto, there even hung a small bronze bell, which was unfortunately later stolen. On August 15, 1944, the Lourdes grotto was solemnly blessed by the then pastor of Niel, Father Gerstmans. From the very beginning, a grotto committee was established, which to this day ensures the maintenance of the Lourdes grotto and its surroundings, in collaboration with the municipality's technical department. For a long time, Mia Haumont and later Godelieve Meysen took care of the altar and the flowers. In the early years, a hermit even lived in the cottage behind the grotto for a few years. He is known as Brother Boniface. His real name is Tony Vissers. For many years, he was involved in the education of the local youth. The closeness of the Lourdes Grotto to the hearts of many Niel residents is evident in the large attendance at the services, which normally take place on May 1st and August 15th. There is an open-air service at the grotto, followed by a vehicle blessing on August 15th. On the evening of August 14th, there is also a candlelight procession from the church in Niel to the grotto. In May, it is traditional to pray the rosary together at 7:30 PM. This year, we will do this from our homes, united in faith! Want to stop by on your daily bike ride? The Lourdes Grotto in Niel-bij-As is located on the route between cycling junctions 40 and 528.

Okay, it's a bit steep, but doable. Plus, at the foot of the climb (at least today, on a Sunday), there's an ice cream van with delicious ice cream to fuel up before the climb. ;-)

Beautiful cycle paths along the Maas!

The Oude Maas is the name given to the original lower course of the river formed by the Waal branch of the Rhine and the Meuse in the Rhine-Meuse delta in the south of the Netherlands.

don't be loud