Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Oudebergkapel, Historic chapel on Oudenberg hill, Geraardsbergen, Belgium.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Oudebergkapel is a heptagonal chapel with three side chapels built in 1906 by architect A. Vandamme. Its distinctive shape and elevated position on the hillside make it a recognizable landmark across the Geraardsbergen area.
A hermitage occupied this site from 1294, and the current chapel replaced a 17th-century religious building in 1906. The location has been a center of worship across several centuries.
The wooden Virgin Mary statue from the 17th century draws pilgrims who come to pray and leave offerings at the chapel. This devotion has shaped local religious practice for generations and continues to be central to the site's meaning for the community.
The chapel sits on an elevated hillside accessible by foot or bicycle via Oudeberg street, which involves some climbing. Visitors should wear suitable shoes given the slope and terrain of the approach route.
The chapel stands on the Muur van Geraardsbergen, a steep road section that becomes a major challenge during professional cycling races in the Flanders region. This spot transforms into a focal point of international cycling interest when competitions take place.
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