Celles, section and village of Houyet, Belgium
Celles is a village nestled in a Walloon valley bordered by hills, with stone houses arranged along narrow cobblestone streets. The Romanesque Church of Saint-Hadelin from the 11th century anchors the center, while a hermitage perched on the rise above offers views over the entire settlement and surrounding landscape.
The village was founded in 669 when the monk Hadelin established his hermitage here, and a church developed around this spiritual center over following centuries. During World War II, Celles saw action during the Battle of the Bulge, marked today by a German Panther tank left as a reminder of the fighting.
The village carries the name of Saint Hadelin, a monk whose presence shaped this place long ago and whose memory remains woven into daily life. Residents and visitors share local traditions like the annual July market and taste specialties such as Chausson Cellois pastry, keeping the connection between past and present alive.
The village is accessible and offers walking trails of about 2 kilometers with information signs about local history and nature. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since many streets have cobblestones and several paths involve climbing uphill.
The Stations of the Cross leading up to the hermitage have been reinterpreted with contemporary art installations. This unusual blend of traditional pilgrimage route and modern creativity reveals how the village honors its past while embracing new expression.
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