The cave was built in 1878 at the beginning of the Tieltse Blereberg on a piece of land of approximately eleven acres, by Maria Theresia Van Geertruyden. She was the widow of the miller Henricus Boxstens, who died quite early, who, like his father, ran the windmill at the top of the Blereberg. After his death his son Isidoor took over the mill. The mill was finally demolished in 1928. A remarkable detail is that the name of Isidoor is engraved in the cave.”
In 1883 the family gave the cave to the Sint-Martinus church factory. “The days of hundreds of people flocking are over, but it remains our duty to preserve this heritage. The municipality does its part by providing lighting and maintenance. The new, and for the municipality the only church factory Saint-Donatus considers it more than its duty to ensure that this place of prayer, silence, tranquility and valuable heritage is preserved. Hence the new statue of Bernadette Soubirous. We all hope that the Lourdes Grotto and the statue will remain intact for a long time to come."
Source: HLN