The All Saints Chapel in Diest has had an eventful history. In 1372, by order of a devout Diestenaar, the construction of a chapel dedicated to "God's Dear Saints" was started. In 1450 the chapel came into the possession of the arch guild "De Gesellen van den Rooden Valk" thanks to the bishop of Liège.
The companions of the guild held their annual royal shooting there. The seesaw, or at least that part on which the birds were placed, was attached to the tower of the chapel. The journeymen also had plans to renovate the chapel, but after a while the works came to a standstill because almost all available stones were used for the St. Sulpitius Church. The chapel was not finished until 1491.
In the 16th century the chapel was set on fire by indigenous troubles and was almost completely lost, only to be rebuilt in 1606 by the archers' guild. It was solemnly consecrated in 1615. But in 1793, when French rule arrived, the All Saints Chapel was sold as "National Property" and was half demolished by the buyer. As a result, the chapel was once again in poor condition.
After the fall of Napoleon (1815) the chapel was renovated again. But not long after in 1854, the chapel had to disappear for good because it hindered the construction of the fortifications. It was demolished on military orders and rebuilt at the foot of the mountain within the city ramparts where it stands to this day. The current All Saints Chapel is therefore a Neoclassical pilgrimage chapel. On November 1, 1854, the first mass was celebrated in the new chapel and since then the celebration of All Saints in Diest has become a tradition. Meanwhile, there are more than 150 statues of saints in the chapel.
(Info source: StadDiest.be)