Cycling stage 4: St. Agatha – Aarle-Rixtel | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Saint Agatha Convent to the Missionary Convent of the Holy Blood.
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Discover the many chapels along this 66-km stage. Pause for a moment at the Spijkerkapel in Esdonk or the Nepomuk Chapel in Boxmeer. Light a candle. Continue your journey through the countryside and take in everything you encounter along the way. The route ends at the impressive Missionary Convent of the Holy Blood.
Focus – cycle in the here and now.It sounds wonderful and it is. Visiting the many chapels on this route helps you focus. They are true places of peace and contemplation, each harbouring its own fascinating story. One example is the so-called Spijkerkapel or ‘Nail Chapel’ in Esdonk, where, according to a centuries-old tradition, people leave rusted nails beside the life-sized statue of Christ in the tomb. It is also worth stopping at the Nepomuk Chapel in Boxmeer. Saint John of Nepomuk is said to offer protection to those crossing the water. It is rather curious that you rarely come across this saint elsewhere in a water-rich country like ours.
Calmness, mindfulness and silence…
Discover the many chapels along this 66-km stage. Pause for a moment at the Spijkerkapel in Esdonk or the Nepomuk Chapel in Boxmeer. Light a candle. Continue your journey through the countryside and take in everything you encounter along the way. The route ends at the impressive Missionary Convent of the Holy Blood.
Focus – cycle in the here and now.It sounds wonderful and it is. Visiting the many chapels on this route helps you focus. They are true places of peace and contemplation, each harbouring its own fascinating story. One example is the so-called Spijkerkapel or ‘Nail Chapel’ in Esdonk, where, according to a centuries-old tradition, people leave rusted nails beside the life-sized statue of Christ in the tomb. It is also worth stopping at the Nepomuk Chapel in Boxmeer. Saint John of Nepomuk is said to offer protection to those crossing the water. It is rather curious that you rarely come across this saint elsewhere in a water-rich country like ours.
Calmness, mindfulness and silence
A chapel brings a moment of stillness. You light a candle and think of someone else. Or you take a moment to reflect on what matters to you in life. You then continue cycling straight through De Peel National Park, via Saint Anthonis Forest with its distinctive ‘Witches’ Tree’,along the floodplains of the Maas and through De Vilt Nature Reserve. Be mindful of yoursurroundings and you could spot an orange-tip butterfly, a long-eared owl, bogbean or even a natterjack toad. Amid the stillness of the landscape, you may come across herds of Scottish Highland cattle and flocks of Kempen heath sheep.You also pass various monastic heritage sites along the way, including De Weijer, a former monastery, the CarmeliteMonastery and the Gemert Monastery Castle. The monks and nuns who lived here left a lasting legacy through their dedication to people and society – a legacy that can still be seen today, for example in education. All this gives you plenty to reflect on as you cycle this route. Enjoy a journey of more than 60 kilometres – combining exercise with reflection.
Cycle or walk the Brabant Monastery Trail
North Brabant is home to hundreds of monastery buildings, more than forty of which are still inhabited. A range of short- and long-distance routes take you through Brabant’s rich monastic heritage, past numerous monasteries and abbeys that tell the story of monastic life then and now. You can, for example, walk the 300-km Brabant Monastery Trail, or cycle the Brabant Monastery Trail, covering more than 700 km. These long-distance routes are divided into multiple stages. If you would prefer a shorter route, choose one of the lovely circular walks or cycle loops. Brabant invites you to slow down, find stillness and wonder.
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St. Agatha Convent
A convent of the past, present and future. St. Agatha Convent is the oldest convent in the Netherlands still to be inhabited. As you approach the village of St. Agatha, the convent can be seen from far and wide. It has been inhabited co
Kloosterlaan 245435 XD Sint Agatha
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Klostergarten des Klosters St. Agatha
In der Nähe der Maas, inmitten von Feldern, liegt im äußersten Osten der Provinz Nordbrabant das Kloster St. Agatha. Die Kapelle erhebt sich aus der Landschaft, geschützt durch einen Deich.
Maasheggen UNESCO
The Meuse hedgerows consist of long rows of centuries-old hawthorn and blackthorn hedges. They serve as property boundaries, and their prickly nature also prevents livestock from easily escaping the enclosure.
De Vilt Nature Reserve
De Vilt Nature Reserve is an ancient meander of the River Meuse.
Church of the Assumption
In Beugen, you’ll pass the Church of the Assumption, built in 1420, which features a 17th-century choir and was restored by Pierre Cuypers in 1879. The tower was blown up during the war.
Former Mariahof Convent
On Hagelkruisstraat, you can see the former Mariahof convent of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Charles Borromeo. They came here from Kleve in 1876 to teach children, nurse the sick, and comfort the unfortunate.
Julie Postel Convent
Julie Postel was a teacher in the fishing village of Barfleur in Normandy who taught children from poor families and took in orphans.
Nepomuk chapel
The Nepomuk chapel dates back to 1737 and was erected to replace the chapel inside the castle.
Carmelite Monastery
The Carmelite Monastery consists of four wings arranged around a cloister walk.
Carmelite Monastery Boxmeer
It is thanks to Count Albert of Bergh and Countess Madeleine of Cusance that there is a Carmelite monastery here.
Saint Peter's Basilica
Saint Peter Basilica was built after the Second World War, after the previous church was completely destroyed in 1944.
Former monastery De Weijer and Weijerpark
House De Weijer had a religious function from as early as the fifteenth century, being the house where the local vicar lived.
St. Anthony's Monastery
The St. Anthony Convent of the Sisters of Charity of Schijndel was founded on December 15, 1896.
St. Anthonis Forest
The St. Anthonis Forest, also known as De Staatsbossen, was established in the 1920s. Scots pines were planted there to support the tunnels in Limburg’s coal mines.
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.
Huize Padua / De Kluis Museum
In the mid-18th century, a small group of religious brothers moved to Boekel. Their new home became known as Huize Padua, popularly referred to as De Kluis.
De Kluis Museum
A museum dedicated to psychiatry, with a special focus on GGZ Oost Brabant and the Penitents Brothers.
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.
Esdonk Chapel
The small chapel of Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in the 16th century. In 1695, the chapel was purchased by the steward of the Teutonic Order (a religious military order), and the current chapel was built.
Gerlachus van den Elsen roadside chapel
The Gerlachus van den Elsen roadside chapel is part of the Boerenbond Museum (farmers’ union museum). This Farmers' Museum shows the region’s farm life from around 1900.
St George's Chapel
The Brabant guilds have strong ties with the Catholic faith, and many guilds in the De Peel region have their own chapel for their patron saint.
Kasteel Gemert
This large castle complex, complete with gardens and castle farms has had an eventful history. It was built by a very powerful religious order of knights that had amassed possessions across Europe.
Former Nazareth convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Oirschot
In 1848 the Franciscan Sisters of Oirschot moved into Borret House, the mansion to the right of the convent.
‘t Gulden Land Nature Reserve
In the coming years, ‘t Gulden Land will be developed into a fully-fledged nature reserve.
Missionary Convent Heilig Bloed
Among the fields northeast of Aarle-Rixtel lies Missionary Convent Heilig Bloed (holy blood).
Kloosterdreef 75735 SJ Aarle Rixtel
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