Chapel of the Chêneau

Here we are at the highest point of Brabant-Wallon (about 140 m). The chapel appears very clearly on the Villaret map from 1745 (see attached photo). Several legends are associated with it. Here’s what a specialist has to say about it (blog references below): “It seems very ancient, which it is, although no one knows when the first chapel was built at this location. According to some, a sanctuary was already present in Roman times. According to other legends, Celtic druids would have held their celebrations at this spot and made offerings to the thunder god Thor to win his favor during storms (lightning) and in the hope of seeing nourishing rains arrive. This is not improbable given the dryness and the openness of this plateau. A real chapel was supposedly built on the order and in honor of Countess Alpaïde, mother of Charles Martel and mistress of Pépin of Herstal. She retired around the year 700 to the monastery of Orp-le-Grand to die in an atmosphere of holiness. Her remains were then buried in the chapel. Others claim that it is Countess Alpaïde who was the last ruler of the county of Brunerode and that she received this county from her Pépin to protect her from the vengeance of her legitimate husband. Hoegaarden was then the capital of this county and Chaumont-Gistoux was part of it. This vision is problematic unless it refers to two ladies, one old and one young, both bearing the name Alpaïde because Brunerode only came under the hands of the Principality of Liège around the year 1000. The remains of the son that Alpaïde had with Pépin are said to still be buried in the chapel. This legend is obviously popularly associated with a huge treasure that is supposedly hidden there. In 1977, during the restoration of the chapel which had fallen into disrepair, excavations were carried out in search of this treasure or other things, but to no avail. Given that at the time of the excavations, the floor of the chapel was already in pieces, it is certainly possible that previous treasure hunters had tried their luck. End of the legends."

Val et Oli