Small religious heritage around Rijsbergen

This 25-kilometer cycling route goes past the Mariakapellen around Rijsbergen.

The starting and ending point is at Bisschopsmolen in Etten-Leur.

The Mariakapellen around Rijsbergen, a village in the municipality of Zundert (North Brabant), have a special religious and cultural significance. They are part of a unique religious heritage that dates back to the Catholic tradition of the countryside.

The chapels are dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary and were established from the 1940s to the 1950s as an expression of gratitude, protection, or devotion. Many of them were built after World War II, often as a promise or vow: if Mary provided protection during the war, a chapel would be built.
These chapels serve as:
* Places of silent prayer and reflection
* Monuments of popular devotion
* Expressions of the connection between nature, faith, and community

The Mariakapellen are not only religiously important but also part of the intangible heritage of the region. They strengthen social cohesion in neighborhoods, where volunteers take care of flowers, maintenance, and candles.