Travel Guide Scherpenheuvel

Montaigu is a little to Belgium what Lourdes is to France (all proportions guarded).The Baroque Basilica (open daily from 8 a. m. to 19 p. m.), built in the early th century, responded to a desire of Archduke Albert and his wife Isabelle, who swore to go to Montaigu if the Dutch raised the Siege of Bois-le-Duc (' s Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands). We must believe that God has listened to them carefully. In 1629, the year of the consecration of the church, the inhabitants of the region were hit by the plague. Those of Montaigu promised to organize a Marian procession every year if Mary les the evil.The plague disappeared. Since then, every Sunday following November 1, he has been a procession of candles. Inside the church, a huge tree of wood and marble overlooks the altar adorned with the image of the Virgin. It recalls the first sacred oak that was at this place and whose church took over. The pilgrims throw coins on the steps of the altar and lit them out.As in any pilgrimage place, shops of dedicated objects surround the basilica.5 km west of Diest. The 35 bus from Diest to Aarschot passes through Montaigu.