Lazarij van Wezeren

It should surprise us that the unfortunate lepers were cared for early in the Middle Ages. Even small villages had a facility. The first mention of lepers in Wezeren dates back to 1364. From 1550 to 1559 there is said to have been an increase in lepers in the region of Landen. In Wezeren itself we count only 1. Apparently, there would be about 1000 lepers in the whole of Haspengouw in that period. From 1600 to 1609 there was also 1 leper present here and from 1620-1629 one or more.

Little is known about the welding plant in Wezeren. The cottages were built by the Freedom of Montenaken. A narrow path led to the chapel and the village of Montenaken. They were still mentioned, but demolished in 1629 and the land was sold to Robert Heeren for 14.5 guilders'. We know that they disappeared at the beginning of the 17th century from an entry in the aldermen's book of Montenaken (1662-1667): 'waer die laserijen van Montenaken thabiten pstaanen'.

The lazerij was often separated from the healthy village by a natural border, such as a stream here. But it was also not too far from a busy road – like the road between Landen and Montenaken – here. This gave the lepers the opportunity to beg. Another explanation for its location would also be that the leper farm was built to the east of a village to prevent the prevailing winds – in this case the west wind – from bringing the 'contagion' to the village.

Near this place, remains of a Roman villa have been excavated.

Jan Rymenams