Hermitage at Schaelsberg

This hermitage sits on a hilltop and features a white-painted chapel with a distinctive stepped gable and small tower, along with attached living quarters spread across multiple levels. Fourteen stations of the cross are arranged in a circle around the central shrine, each held in a stone pedestal with a glass-enclosed image.

The site was built in 1688 for the lords of nearby Schaloen Castle as a dwelling for hermits. From that time until 1930, sixteen hermits from Franciscan and Carthusian communities lived there successively, maintaining the shrine.

Pilgrims visit to pray at the small roadside chapels and the central shrine, continuing a tradition that has shaped local religious life for centuries. The site remains a focal point for devotional walks and personal spiritual reflection.

The site is accessible by foot and involves a gentle climb up the hillside through the surrounding landscape. Wear comfortable walking shoes as the path can be uneven in places.

Three small chapels built in 1739 stand at the base of the hill and each holds a statue of a different saint or biblical figure. These were added later as separate devotional stops along the approach to the main site.

Location: Valkenburg aan de Geul

Inception: 1688

Address: Schaesberg 2

Website: http://dekluisvalkenburg.nl/index2.html

GPS coordinates: 50.86069,5.85554

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55