The Waanrode Cave was inaugurated on August 15, 1933. This was built at the time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary to Bernadette in Lourdes. A stone from the Grotto of Lourdes was transferred to the Grotto of Waanrode, confirming the connection with Lourdes. This stone is still kept there.
Artist Janssens-Geysels from Mol was the builder of the beautiful Grotto. At the back of the Cave is a large iron cross, made by A. Vanaerschot from Herentals. For years that cross had a place next to the entrance to the parish hall.
Seven mysteries from the rosary are depicted in a semi-arch behind the Grotto.
In addition to the Stone from the Grotto of Lourdes, there are also two trees from Lourdes in the park around the Grotto. In 1966, fellow villager Alfons Van Brusselt went to Lourdes and brought 10 shoots from trees from the park near the Lourdes Basilica. He planted them out at home, but only two really took root. Two years later, in 1968, they were planted at the cave. The two chestnut trees, to the left of the Cave and separated by the path around the Cave, have now become high 'wind catchers'.