Affligem - From the Abbey to the Church and Chapel (Hike)

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This is an edited version of a hike of the same name from the 'ASLK Hiking Guide' from 1984, documented with points of interest. As the name suggests, this hike will take you consecutively from the Abbey of Affligem over St. Michael's Church in Hekelgem to the Kluiskapel. Some of the old paths have disappeared since 1984. Therefore, we had to adjust the route slightly at the beginning of the hike, near the Neuen Kassei. Here, you will receive not only the detailed route description but also the fully spelled-out hiking signposts.

Between the Abbey of Affligem and the d'Oude Brouwerij inn (200 m), there is a parking lot. Depending on your spiritual or gastronomic preferences, you can start at either of the two. At departure and/or arrival, you can enjoy the well-known abbey beer and cheese from Affligem. But a glass of local cherry wine will surely appeal to you as well.

Along the way, you can answer 10 questions based on your observations. Since I let the hike start at the inn, I slightly adjusted the numbering. I created new questions 2 and 4, as some of the others were no longer current or too obvious. If you start from the abbey, please read the corresponding questions at the end of this text first. We completed this hike without any problems in June 2017.

THE WALKING PATH ITSELF:
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QUESTION 1: A FRIEZE HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO THE FACADE OF THE CULTURE CENTER (where the inn is located) DEPICTING THE HISTORY OF THE ABBEY IN IMAGES. WHO WAS THE POTTER?

We start from the parking lot on Abdijstraat and head south (i.e., with your back to the built side, you choose left). Soon we cross Langestraat and now follow the Neuen Kassei for about 500 m in extension of Abdijstraat. This section is the most congested in terms of traffic along the entire circular route, so we pay attention. The Neuen Kassei was fundamentally redesigned in May 2015 but fortunately received bike paths on both sides.

In front of the house number 32, we choose the path (Reusweg) to the left, which diagonally crosses the Neuen Kassei from SW to NE here. A hundred meters further (just before the first building), we take a narrow path to the right. Another 100 m further, we turn left and another 120 m further, we turn right again. About 1 km later, we cross the Brussels Road at house number 251 (De Brandt - Ramen & Deuren) and then follow Kapelleweg.

QUESTION 2: AFTER CROSSING THE BRUSSELS RAILROAD, AT THE BEGINNING OF KAPELLEWEG, ONE CAN SEE A SIGN FOR A RESTAURANT AT THE TOP RIGHT OF A CONCRETE BARRICADE THAT IS LOCATED IN A VILLA BEHIND THIS BARRICADE. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS RESTAURANT?

After a hill, we picturesque descend into the center of Hekelgem. At the next intersection, we go straight ahead (between two residential houses) on Pastorijweg until the curve to the right and the connection to the crossroad. Here we see on the right side among the greenery the Pastorij of Hekelgem (house number 27).

The Pastorij and part of the garden are completely enclosed. Although the original Pastorij is over four hundred years old, it is not listed as a protected monument because too much of its authenticity was lost in previous restorations. According to the Inventory of Immovable Heritage, it is now an insignificant building from the 19th-20th century, whose location on a completely enclosed plot east of the church, however, indicates its historical origin. In the vicinity of the (fish) pond at the back of the garden, the Okaaibeek springs up. Around the source of the Okaaibeek, the old village bay of Hekelgem was formed.

At the next branching of Pastorijweg, we go left and soon see the St. Michael's Church of Hekelgem on the left. This was built from sandstone from the local quarries. The tower and the foundations are Romanesque with a Gothic nave and side aisles. Between 1977 and 1978, the church was restored and received, among other things, a new clock with the text below: 'Siet hier de verganckelyckheyt van den tyd'. Points of interest include a magnificent pulpit with a kneeling St. Peter (1788). During the French occupation in 1795, it was hidden in the nearby Lindenhoeve (now gone) and returned to the church in 1801 with the regaining of religious freedom. Stained glass windows depict the 12 Apostles and their attributes. They were donated by various people, including the Roseleth family, but also by Pastor De Vis-Bosteels and Pastor Willems.

QUESTION 3: IN THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH, THERE ARE A FEW ROUND WINDOWS. HOW MANY?

On the right side of the church, we find the memorial for the fallen from both world wars.

QUESTION 4: WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE ONLY FEMALE BURGESS FROM W.O.II?

With our backs to the entrance of the church, we briefly go left to Bellestraat and then choose Kouterweg (1st street on the right) next to St. Vincentius School. At the end of the long Kouterweg, we go right up Zwarteberg.

Just before house number 30 (a magnificent villa), the white chapel OLV ter Kouter appears to the left; rather, what remains of it. This chapel was built back then by Maurice Chaumont (1882-1961). He lived in a beautiful country house near the chapel. In 2017, the large mailbox from number 30 was placed for the chapel.

QUESTION 5: NOTE THE LAST 3 WORDS OF THE PRAYER THAT IS ABOVE THE NICHE OF THE CHAPEL?

Past the next villa, we turn left onto Molenweg. At the highest point of Affligem (74 m), at Molenweg 35, we see the Old Mill or Boekhoutmolen to the right. A wooden windmill leased by the monks of the Abbey of Affligem stood at this site as early as 1413. The name "Old Mill" is used to distinguish this mill from the De Vis Mill (or New Mill) on Boekhoutberg, which was built only in 1827.

The current stone lock with arch windows was built by Jozef Van Lierde and replaced the wooden stakmolen in 1785. Many materials from its wooden predecessor were incorporated into the new mill. The mill is of the upper sluice type. Due to its strategic location and its height of 15 m (highest point of Affligem), it was often used as an observation post during many wars. For this reason, it was also often damaged by passing troops. The "Old Mill" was protected as a monument in 1943, and grinding occurred there until 1950.

In 1951, it was purchased by Dr. J. Cuvelier from Aalst, fully restored in 1957-1958, and converted into a residential house. A new thorough restoration followed from 1989 to 1993 by the current owner Dirk Nevens. During this, the mill was again converted for residential use. The mill is rotatable but not operational for grinding. Due to its setup as a residential house, it is not open to the public.

A bit further, to the right of the road, at the corner of Molenberg and Molenweg (opposite house number 32), we find a bricked chapel from the 19th century shaded by deciduous trees with a gable roof (artificial slate) and plastered pilaster facade with a facade stone inscribed "J. Roseleth - A. Schoon - 1887". The chapel features a niche surrounded by a fence. The chapel was founded in 1887 by the spouses Petrus Josephus Roseleth (1824-1902) and Amelia Schoon (1822-1892). Petrus Josephus was the mayor of Hekelgem until his death. Amelia was a co-heir to the extensive wealth of the miller family Van Lierde.

Now we descend Molenberg towards Bruxellesbourg. As you near the intersection, you will see to the left the access to the New Mill, a.k.a. Molen De Vis. This mill on Boekhoutberg dates back to 1827 and was the pride of the De Vis millers for one and a half centuries. The miller's house was built in 1835. At the beginning of World War II, the mill stand was severely damaged as the Belgian artillery attempted to halt the advance of German troops. The mill was protected as a historic site in 1943 but was reclassified in 1992 when it became clear that neither the government nor the owner wanted to repair the building. Since then, the mill has been overgrown with ivy and weeds. After the last resident's death, the building remained vacant for years.

The "New Mill" remained in operation until 1952. The original mill house (1835), where the local historian Henri De Vis once lived, has been preserved. The historic mill was recently saved from demolition by its new owner, entrepreneur Frans Krauch from Hekelgem, managing director and owner of the well-known fertilizer manufacturer Viano. He bought the impressive but dilapidated mill and will restore all the buildings thoroughly (newspaper report 2015-05-27). By June 2017, the mill structure had already been cleared of ivy that had extended over the wall for decades.

Shortly after the mill, we carefully cross the busy Brussels Road (N9) at the height of the kitchen specialty store "Poggenpohl." We walk a bit left and then take the first street on the right (Steenpoelweg). At Mazitsstraat, we decide for right at the T-junction and a few meters further again turn left into the same Steenpoelweg. At the next intersection with Hulstbos, we go straight ahead and remain faithful to Steenpoelweg. From here, only a few houses can be seen until the T-junction with the wider Langestraat. There, we turn right. 100 m later, we turn left into Kluisterkouterlos and then take the first path on the left (Kluizenweg). Here we continue our way between fields and meadows until the next T-junction with Kluisdreef.

Here you can see the tower of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekapel or Kluiskapel peeking through the treetops directly in front of you. It is a suitable moment to rest on the benches. The current chapel, located on the border between Hekelgem and Erembodegem, dates back to 1758. A part of the brick and sandstone building was demolished in 1835. In 1985, the chapel was protected as a monument along with its surroundings as a village view. The chapel was renovated again in 2013. In this chapel, the veneration of O.L. from the 16th century is enthroned within an angel halo; it is particularly venerated during the celebrations of Beloken Pasen and in May.

QUESTION 6: HOW MANY CROSSES ARE ON THE KLUISKAPEL?

After our break, we leave the chapel's area and continue our way, left between low houses with red sandstone roofs, on Kluisdreef. For about 1 km, we follow the unpaved field path between old pollard willows, meadows, and arable land. Already 500 m further, you get a first glimpse of the back of the former Abbey of Maria Mediatrix (now the De Kluizerij seminar center). A little further, you can see through the cracks in the concrete block wall the vineyards of Domein De Kluizen.

"Domein De Kluizen" was founded in 1997 by Herman Troch within the walls of the former Abbey of Maria Mediatrix and covers an area of 2.8 hectares. About 8800 vine stocks have been planted. The wineries for red, white, and rosé wines (even sparkling wines) are located at Broekstraat 42 in Herdersem. Since 2005, the wine has been allowed to be recognized as "Vlaamse Landwijn."

However, the former Benedictine abbey of Saint Wivina in Groot-Bijgaarden, which was under the direction of the abbot of Affligem, did not survive the French Revolution. The Abbey of Maria Mediatrix was founded in 1921 and can be considered one of the youngest monastic foundations in Belgium. In 1946, at the elevation to abbey status, the church authorities recognized the foundation as a continuation of the former abbey in Groot-Bijgaarden.

In 2006, the last 7 religious sisters moved to a house in Leuven. Since then, the imposing abbey buildings have been inhabited by vzw De Kluizerij. This offers a wonderful and incomparable environment for successful conferences, training, annual activities, renewal or training days; possibly with overnight stays.

On the meadows of the estate, one can encounter Scottish Highland cattle as well as a black-horned sheep breed. We walk along the property of the seminar center to the Aalsterse or Affligemdreef (with a separate bike path). 250 m to the left, you have access to the former abbey buildings. But we go right and immediately pass a road to the left (Waverstraat). At the next street to the left, there is an inn with a strange name.

QUESTION 7: WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS TAVERN?

Past the inn, we choose the first street on the right (Bosstraat). We cross 2x to the right a somewhat longer driveway to an apartment. Passing house number 69, where Bosstraat bends to the right, we take the earthen path to the left. "Voetweg 24, Weimeersweg" is written on a yellow sign. This is named after the Weimeersbeek, which we will soon cross in the wooded area ahead of us. Upon reaching the edge of the forest, we follow it for another 50 to 60 m and then turn at a right angle to the right through a line of trees (with the brook). After another 50 m emerging from the 'forest', one of the few remaining hop fields appears on our left. It was primarily established for tourism purposes.

The hops from Affligem and the entire Aalst–Affligem–Asse region were once referred to as green gold, as they brought prosperity for our people throughout history. They had such a good reputation that they were known throughout Europe. Therefore, it should not be surprising that hops significantly influenced the lives of people.

The first work on hops, namely cutting the hop shoots, begins already at the end of February-beginning of March and ends in April. Afterwards, one begins to tie the hop strings, which are then tensioned. At the end of August-beginning of September, the hop harvest begins, which is accompanied by celebrations in the area. After the harvest, the hop flowers are transferred to the hop shed, where they are dried for 8 to 10 hours.

We turn at a right angle left after the hop field and then after another 200 m right. After 100 m we arrive at a crossing next to the Oxfam and Fairtrade store "De Kruidenier van Affligem." Straight ahead, you see a piece of wall from the Abbey of Affligem.

QUESTION 8: WHAT WAS HERE, IN OLD AFFLIGEM, IN THE 13TH CENTURY?

After 120 m, we actually come to the Abbey of Affligem with its freestanding tower.

The Abbey of St. Peter and Paul of Affligem can be regarded as the most impressive abbey foundation of the Benedictines in the Netherlands. The French Revolution marked the end for this powerful abbey. The monks were expelled on November 11, 1796. The buildings, property, and lands were confiscated and sold. The estate (8262 ha in 1787) was seized. Numerous treasures of art were lost.

For nearly forty years, the monks lived scattered here and there, outside the monastic community. However, they still regarded themselves as a religious community and in 1837, Dom Veremundus, with the approval of his brothers, began to accept novices again. The community originally settled in Dendermonde. In 1870, it succeeded in revitalizing monastic life in Affligem, namely within the stately bishop’s residence. This was