Monastery Trail: circular route Boekel and Handel
Step into the world of the Broeders Penitenten (Penitent Brothers)
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Handel is renowned as a place of pilgrimage. This walk will show you the beautiful countryside and historic buildings in the area around Huize Padua. Start at Huize Padua. The route will then take you past the Landmeerse Loop, the Kruisbeeld (Crucifix), Nieuw Bloemendael Monastery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Ten Hemelopnemingkerk (Our Lady of the Assumption Church) and De Kluis Museum.
North Brabant monastery life
While walking, become acquainted with the life and work of the Brabant monks and nuns – then and now. Brabant Monastery Trail takes you past around fifty-five monasteries and abbeys in North Brabant in various stages. The total length of the trail is 330 kilometres, but there are also beautiful trails marked out around various monasteries.
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Signposting of the monastery tour
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting of the monastery tour
Simply follow the signs and walk along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Landmeerse Loop
The Landmeerse Loop is a largely man-made stream that served as the boundary between the Gemert Manor and the Land of Ravenstein in the late 18th century.
Keskesdijk
The Keskesdijk (Brabant dialect for “little boxes”) is the nickname for the Handelseweg, which ends at O.L. Vrouwestraat.
Nieuw Bloemendaal Monastery
Nieuw Bloemendaal Monastery is named after the Hermitage of the Penitent Brothers.
Church of the Assumption of Our Lady
Handel is the oldest Marian pilgrimage site in North Brabant. A miracle occurred in this region in 1220, in what was then still wild and desolate heathland.
Procession Park
Behind the church, surrounding the "holy well," lies the Procession Park. It was laid out in 1908. It features neo-Gothic chapels depicting the Mysteries of the Rosary.
Peelrandbreuk
The Peelrandbreuk is a geological fault line that roughly runs from Roermond via Deurne to Uden. The Earth's surface shifts here relative to each other.
Capuchin Monastery
Right next to Huize Padua stands yet another enormous monastery. This former Capuchin monastery was founded on the initiative of the rector of the Penitent Brothers of Huize Padua. Construction took place from 1848 to 1852.
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