Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel

About

The Basilica of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Scherpenheuvel is a basilica located on the territory of the Scherpenheuvel-Zichem district of Scherpenheuvel in Belgium. It is the most important pilgrimage site in Belgium. Scherpenheuvel was for a long time only a hamlet of Zijkem and became more important than Zijkem by the influx of pilgrims. It received city rights and canals in 1605 and also a ground plan in the form of a seven-pointed star with the basilica in the center.

The Basilica: The building was inaugurated in 1627 by the Archbishop of Mechelen, James Boonen. The church was elevated to Basilica in 1922 and has been a protected monument since 1952. It was built on the initiative of and paid for by Archduke Albrecht of Austria and Isabella. They stayed just opposite the basilica in the still existing house The Golden Fleece during their visits to Scherpenheuvel. At the initiation, Isabella offered jewels on the altar steps. She wanted to prove that earthly goods are not the most important. The architect of the buildings was Wenceslas Cobergher; he chose a basilica in the form of a...