Maria monument Vijlenerbos

This monument was erected as a thank you that Vijlen was spared in the Second World War, as a thank you for the preserved return of the villagers and to remember the fallen.
The Maria monument on the edge of the Vijlenerbos was unveiled in 1945 by the then Bishop of Roermond, Mr. Mgr. Dr. G. Lemmens. There are also Stations of the Cross in the access road to the statue of Mary.
The idea of creating a
The statue of Mary was created during a walk through the Vijlenerbos by the then chaplain Nobis and Mr. Theo Vaessen in the early years of the Second World War.
On the spot where the statue of Mary now stands, the plan was discussed at length. A short time later (1941) chaplain Nobis was transferred to Simpelveld.
Because of resistance against the German occupiers, he was drafted into German military service in May 1942
recorded and sent to the Eastern Front, where he was killed on 29 January 1944.
After the arrival of his successor Chaplain L. Hünen, a committee was set up with the aim of giving concrete shape to the plans of placing a statue of Mary on the edge of the Vijlenerbos.
Peter Horbach, an architect from Heerlen, made the drawing and Mr Wenders from Mechelen carried out the plan. The stones with which the monument was erected originate from the Vijlenerbos, and were spontaneously brought in by the people from the village by horse and cart.
The statue of Mary was made by Mr. Lieben from Brunssum. The land, on which the Maria monument was realized, was acquired in ownership by exchange and additional payment.
A beautiful place with a great view into the Geuldal
at Wijlre. A place to relax.

Tourist Board South Limburg (Visit Zuid-Limburg)