Pilgrimage site Gaverland and Chapel

According to legend, after the discovery of several apparitions of the miraculous statue of Mary under a linden tree in 1511, the first prayer house was established on the site. The miraculous history of this legend spread far beyond the borders of Beveren. Every year, many thousands of people come to this place of pilgrimage.

The chapel and the residence of the chapel keeper have been protected as a monument since 2003. That Melsele is truly a Mary place is evident from the numerous field chapels.

Above the entrance door of the chapel, we see a relief depicting Alexander Farnese, an Italian general in the service of Spain. According to legend, it was at this location that this warrior implored the success of the siege of Antwerp. Annual concerts are held on the authentic 18th-century Spanish organ.

Fact: You cycle along the beeweg here. The path was created in 1968 and contains the 15 'stations'. How do you do a beeweg? Start at the first chapel: the first joyful mystery. Name the mystery and then pray the ‘Our Father’. You continue with ‘a decade’. These are ten Hail Marys that one prays while walking to the second station, etc…

In the past, the beeweg lay next to the chapel where a beautiful square has now been created. The former 'stations' have been preserved and are spread across the territory of Melsele.

Gemeente Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht