Our Lady Of Scherpenheuvel Basilica
The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel (Dutch language, Dutch: ''Basiliek van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Scherpenheuvel'', French language, French: ''Basilique de Notre Dame de Montaigu'') is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, Belgium. The church was consecrated in 1627 and raised to the status of a minor basilica in 1922. It is reputedly the most frequently visited shrine of pilgrimage in Belgium. While the cult on the ''Scherpenheuvel'' (or Sharp Hill) is older, its present architectural layout and its enduring importance are due to the patronage of the Archdukes Archduke Albert, sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands, Albert and Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain, Isabella and the Counter-Reformation. Origins For many years the Marian cult on the ''Scherpenheuvel'' centered on a small statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic), Virgin Mary that hung in an oak tree on top of the hill. According to the foundation legend a shepherd ...
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Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (; french: Montaigu-Zichem) is a City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities of Belgium, municipality located in the province of Flemish Brabant, Flemish Region, Belgium, encompassing the towns of Averbode (village), Averbode, Messelbroek, Okselaar, Scherpenheuvel, Schoonderbuken, Keiberg, Kaggevinne, Testelt and Zichem, Belgium, Zichem (previously spelled Sichem, like the biblical town). On January 1, 2020, Scherpenheuvel-Zichem had a total population of 23,135. The total area is 50.50km2 which gives a population density of 458.1 inhabitants per km2. Holy site Scherpenheuvel (English: "sharp Hill"), the most important pilgrimage (Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic) site in Belgium, is located some 50km east of Brussels. Its origins date back to the pagan worship that still survived during the Middle-Ages around a holy oak on this hilltop. The cross-shaped tree was thus "Christianized" with a statue of the Holy Mary. Legend has it that around AD 1500 ...
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