THE CHAPEL NOTRE DAME OF THE VISITATION

The name of Bollezeele is primarily associated with its Virgin, Our Lady of the Visitation, whose origin is linked to a spring on the banks of the Yser, where a chapel was erected. Its worship dates back to the 14th century, and it is attributed with numerous miracles (the first mentioned in 1429); in 1510 it freed the region from the plague, which led to an important novena that was long followed by the local populations. In the 19th century, 6000 communions were recorded during the novena.

Our Lady of Bollezeele is undoubtedly partly responsible for the development of the town, its elevation to a deanery in 1680, the establishment of its market, the prosperity of its businesses, and the wealth of its church. The Virgin was crowned in 1910, with more than 100 priests and 15,000 people in attendance.

Source: Yser Houck Association

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