Maria Hemelvaart

 
Old pilgrimage church with Roman tower and Gothic choir. Gothic sculpture treasure.
The church of Winksele dates back to the 12th century. Both the square, sandstone tower and Roman nave were built in that period. The large, Gothic choir was added at the end of the 13th century.
The building was thoroughly renovated in the 17th century: the nave got an arbor, Gothic arches and lancet windows. The southern side isle was pulled down and on the north side a transept was built. At the end of the 18th century a sacristy and a rood loft with an organ were added to the church.
Winksele used to be a well known pilgrimage site: the mentally ill came to beg for healing at the beautiful, polychrome statue of Our Lady (ca. 1400). Next to the church you could find a ‘Dullenhuis’, a place where pilgrims were taken in and cared for. Later the building was pulled down and the stones were reused for the cemetery wall.
 
 

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