The Heilige Eik walking route | Sagen & Legenden
Impossible! A small statue of the Virgin Mary floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze? That’s strange enough. But for the statue to miraculously vanish from the church in Oirschot and turn up in an old, hollow oak tree? That really takes the biscuit. Yet it happened here, in this area, according to a myth that has been passed down from person to person for centuries. The Holy Oak has been felled; in roughly the same spot, you’ll find a beautiful white chapel that commemorates this folk tale. A replica of the statue of the Virgin Mary can be found in that chapel; the original stands in St Peter’s Basilica in Oirschot. Or… might it still be there?
The Kleine Beerze has always been there. But…
Impossible! A small statue of the Virgin Mary floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze? That’s strange enough. But for the statue to miraculously vanish from the church in Oirschot and turn up in an old, hollow oak tree? That really takes the biscuit. Yet it happened here, in this area, according to a myth that has been passed down from person to person for centuries. The Holy Oak has been felled; in roughly the same spot, you’ll find a beautiful white chapel that commemorates this folk tale. A replica of the statue of the Virgin Mary can be found in that chapel; the original stands in St Peter’s Basilica in Oirschot. Or… might it still be there?
The Kleine Beerze has always been there. But the people who worked, lived and passed by this river have changed. This walking route takes you on a 9-kilometre wander through the fairytale-like area around the Kleine and Grote Beerze near Oirschot. The long avenues, the dense woods and the vast grasslands: something magical could well happen here.
Can you hear the crackling of branches? Perhaps it’s a roe deer, a squirrel or one of the many birds in this area. At the drawbridge, you cross the canal: this is the area of the Holy Oak. Step over the threshold of De Kapel van de Heilige Eik and feel free to light a candle. Can you see the Virgin Mary? After a moment of peace and reflection, continue your walk through the woods, along and across the meandering Kleine Beerze, through greenery and occasionally past a farm. And as you walk there, it’s easy to imagine that the most beautiful stories were born in a place like this. With your head full of inspiration, you’ll return to the starting point.
For a good cup of coffee and a visit to the impressive St Peter’s Basilica, a detour via the equally fairytale-like Oirschot – either before or after your walk – is well worth it.
Kleine Beerze: A stream valley full of stories
For over 10,000 years, the Kleine Beerze has attracted visitors who stay for shorter or longer periods. Hunter-gatherers, Romans, gnomes, pilgrims, marauders, pedlars and – nowadays – walkers.
Where there are people, stories come alive. Let five walking loops take you along the enchanting stream valley of the Kleine Beerze. Discover myths that had to explain supernatural phenomena. And mysteries that have not yet been solved.
’s Mysterious Marian MiracleThe year is 1406. A shepherd cannot believe his eyes: a small statue of the Virgin Mary is floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze! He retrieves the statue from the water and places it in a hollow oak tree. A villager does not consider this a suitable place and takes the statue to the church in Oirschot. But the next day, the statue has disappeared and mysteriously returned to the hollow of the oak tree. The villagers see this as a supernatural sign to build a Mariakapel on the site of the sacred oak. The chapel becomes a much-visited place of pilgrimage.
Follow the route along the waterway where the statuette once drifted upstream.
Experience exciting regional stories in Brabant
Sagas and legends live on in Brabant. Wonderful routes lead you along the most impressive places where regional stories come to life. There are 5 routes around the myths and mysteries of the Kleine Beerze, about the Holy Oak, the Mysterious Coin Treasure, the Beerse Strijkster, Steengoede Sporen and the Roman burial mound. Do you dare to explore Brabant with these Sagen & Legenden routes? View all routes here.
-
Signposting for the Holy Oak Experience Trail | Myths and Legends
Follow the dark blue signs or the yellow-green signposts from junction to junction and walk the Holy Oak route.
Signposting for the Holy Oak Experience Trail | Myths and Legends
Follow the dark blue signs or the yellow-green signposts from junction to junction and walk the Holy Oak route.
This is what you are going to see
-
76
Starting point:
Walking junction 76
Navigate to the starting point -
76
-
73
-
95
-
30
-
30
-
33
-
34
-
De Kapel van de Heilige Eik
De Kapel van de Heilige Eik (Stop 1)
Chapel of the Sacred Oak
Proosbroekweg 11
5688 JH Oirschot
-
12
-
30
-
30
-
93
-
05
-
74
-
75
-
76
-
76
End point:
Walking junction 76
Navigate to the end point
- 76
- 76
- 73
- 95
- 30
- 30
- 33
- 34
- 12
- 30
- 30
- 93
- 05
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 76