Chapel Route Kalken-Laarne

A slow path walk along Kalken chapels was outlined and expanded to the Berlindekapel by Simon Stroobant and largely explained by André Van De Sompel. The Sint-Pietersfeest Kalken Foundation already organized a walk along this route in June 2019. Thanks to IOED Schelde-Durme, it has now also been provided with a digital version in routeyou so that everyone can enjoy it this summer.

As in almost all Flemish villages, the period in the mid-nineteenth century saw a revival of the Catholic faith, not in the least due to the increased struggle between Catholics and Liberals. Anyone who knows a bit of history undoubtedly knows that during the time of the French Revolution and the occupation by the French of our areas, the Catholic religion suffered a great deal. Especially the small roadside chapels, with an area of no more than 2 to 3 square meters, were demolished, and the larger ones were sold as black goods to not-so-Catholic individuals. Especially from the mid-nineteenth century, various associations were established in parishes and churches to guide the parishioners on the right path. From that renewed religious experience, chapels that had disappeared during the French Period were rebuilt here and there. The roadside chapels we will pass during this walk arose in places where there were previously no chapels. An exception is the Berlindekapel, which has an older history. (Source: Sint-Pietersfeest Foundation)