Handel is a village in the province of Noord-Brabant (the Netherlands). It belongs to the municipality of Gemert-Bakel. On 1 January 2019, the population of Trade was 1,775 inhabitants.
Quick Facts
History
The history of Handel probably goes back to the early years of the presence of the German Order, which owned the Haenle farm. This probably belonged to the heritage of Rutger van Gemert and goes back to the beginning of the 13th century. The farm, which was built in a square shape, was demolished in 1965. This was probably the first seat of the Commandery, before moving to Gemert.
The chapel in Handel was built by the German Order, and on September 10, 1459 it was elevated to an independent rectorate.
Pilgrimage site
Trade is the oldest Maria pilgrimage site in North Brabant. Its history goes back to 1368. The devotion may date back to even earlier times, but in a fire in 1709 the archive was lost, so that nothing can be traced with certainty. Thousands of visitors come every year. Behind the church is a processional park, in which lies the 'wonderful well', the water of which is said to have healing effect. Another legend says that the statue of Mary that is found in the church is found in a tree. This so-called "Mariaboom" was struck by lightning and crack open. The statue of Mary was then found in the center of the tree. The now-dead Maria tree is still in the forest.
A more common story concerns the doren stock or the Hawthorn, in which the statue of Mary appears to have appeared to a shepherd, whose sheep began to kneel spontaneously.
One of the best-known and largest pilgrimages to Handel is the Handelse Procie, which is taken annually by about a thousand pilgrims on foot from Valkenswaard, 40 km away.
This procession also leads along the Kèskesdijk. This road that leads from Gemert to Handel is flanked by seven kèskes, which are small chapels with a niche. There is a group of statues that always refers to one of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.