Walk Vlijtingen: through (battle)fields and village

Starting point: Sint-Albanuskerk in Vlijtingen (3770).

This walk takes you through village and greenery. Enjoy the open fields during your walk. In addition, you walk past the Vlijtingen vineyard.

You also walk past the Irish cross in Lafelt: this monument serves as a symbol of the Battle of Lafelt (English: the battle of Lauffield), also known as the 'battle for Maastricht'. This battle took place on June 2, 1747. In the mid-18th century, the War of Austrian Succession was ongoing. As a result, the Southern Netherlands were caught between two parties, the French (supported by Spain, Prussia, and Bavaria) and the Austrians (supported by Russia, England, and the Dutch Republic). While efforts were made to keep Liège neutral, the French advanced towards Maastricht. Thus, the battle of Lafelt was born. In the hamlet of Lafelt, the armies met (about 150,000 soldiers).

The terrain was open at the time, the hills provided a tactical advantage, sunken roads cut through the land, and the villages were hidden behind hedges. This was one of the bloodiest battlefields in Belgian Limburg. An Irish brigade came to the French aid. The French emerged victorious, but with significant losses. There were as many as 10,971 casualties on the French side, 6,707 victims among the allies, and 3,112 slaughtered horses.

After a brief siege, Maastricht fell into the hands of the French on May 7. Ultimately, the War of Austrian Succession was settled at the negotiation table (Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle). The Irish hoped to defeat the allies (England) and free themselves from English pressure.

Now an Irish cross commemorates the battle. It is hewn from a single piece and was donated in 1964 by "The Cork City Choral Society," the choir from the Irish city of Cork.