The best city hikes and walks in De Zegge

Church built in the period 1349-1570 on the site of an older Romanesque house of worship. Traditionally known place of pilgrimage in honour of Saint Dymphna, patron saint against insanity who, according to 13th century legend, was murdered by her father in a fit of madness in this place in the year 600; from 1565 to 1797 collegiate church served by a chapter of canons, in 1874 elevated to the second parish church of Geel. The veneration of and pilgrimage to Saint Dymphna gave rise to the unique family nursing of Geel. Oriented three-aisled cruciform basilica with nave, northern aisle and transept from 1349-circa 1480, built in Demer Gothic (use of iron sandstone for finishing, columns without capitals), southern aisle rebuilt after collapse in the mid-15th century, choir with radiating chapels in Brabantine late Gothic from the second half of the 15th century (1470-1490), northern portal from around 1500 in the same style, tower - after the collapse of a first tower in 1541 - built in Kempen late Gothic (1542 to around 1570), never finished tower raised to its current height during restoration from 1949-1952 to a design by J. Schellekens. Work on the church around 1585 halted due to lack of funds. To the south of the church, a so-called "sick room" from 1683 or 1687 built in (neo)traditional style to replace a first sick room from 1475, rebuilt again in 1949 after war damage; sacristy (1949) in the southern choir axil in neo-traditional style. Church damaged during bombings in 1944, restored in 1952-1953 to a design by provincial architect J. Schellekens and restored in 1985-1992 to a design by M. Vangenechten from 1980. Cemetery wall and water pump from 1759, pump restored in 1996. Inventory of Immovable Heritage 2025: Parish Church of Saint Dimpna, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/52365

This chapel is located in the De Billemontstraat and is incorporated into the side wall of the Gasthuiskapel. The indicated location is more than 100 meters away, in the cemetery, to the right of the church. If you are standing at this location, it is best to turn around and walk to the Gasthuiskapel, then you will see the chapel when you come closer.

The Sint-Dimpnakerk is a Gothic church in Geel. In terms of architectural style, it is considered to be part of the Demer Gothic style. It is a cruciform basilica with a crossing tower and a heavy main tower. The church is dedicated to Saint Dymphna, who according to legend must have been beheaded and buried here in 600: if one wrote 30 may six hundred years - s. Dymphna here beheaded is from her own father. It was a pilgrimage church, where mainly healing was sought for psychiatric patients. The original core of Geel may have been located here, but this gradually moved to the current Market, where the Sint-Amandskerk is located, which functions as the oldest parish church in Geel. Construction of the current church began in 1349. It was built of white sandstone. In 1489 it was ravaged by fire, after which it was rebuilt and expanded. This concerns in particular the massive tower, decorated with bacon layers of white sandstone and brown iron sandstone. Construction lasted until 1585, but the tower was never completed. In 1532, Jan III van Merode, lord of Geel, founded a college of 10 vicars to serve the church and to celebrate Masses for the pilgrims. This was elevated to a chapter in 1562. In 1566, the iconoclasm raged, during which the statues that adorned the portal were destroyed. During the closed period (end of the 18th century), the Sint-Dimpnakerk was confiscated and sold publicly, but in 1801 the Catholics got the church back. It was not until 1874 that the Sint-Dimpnakerk was given the function of parish church, making it the second parish church in Geel-Centrum. The church suffered major damage in 1944, but the interior remained intact, thanks to the strong vaults. Restoration followed from 1950-1952.

The St. Dimpna Church, built in the period 1349-1570, is a beautiful example of Demer Gothic. It was originally founded as a pilgrimage church and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and important reminders of the unique past of the Mercy City. According to the legend of Saint Dimpna, the Irish king's daughter Dimpna and her confessor Gerebernus were buried on this site after they were murdered. The Sint-Dimpna Church is part of the 'Flemish Masters in their place' project. With 'Flemish masters in their place', Public Art Property Flanders and Tourism Flanders want to put the works of Flemish masters in special places in Flanders and Brussels in the spotlight. The Sint-Dimpna Church is accessible from April 1 to September 30 from Tuesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nice to go off road, a little further than this photo the path doubles (go through the gate)

mural Factory Street

always accessible path that runs behind the houses of Stationstraat, and where there are small houses

Like no other, the majestic St. Amand's Church dominates the enormous Geel market square. Its impressive Baroque wooden interior and beautiful organ are just some of the many eye-catchers on the inside of the church. A guided climb via narrow spiral staircases leads you to just above the bells of St. Amand's Church. The tower of almost 60 meters high is literally the pinnacle of the Geelse Markt and surroundings. This beautiful church is still used for weekly mass celebrations. Source: https://www.visit-geel.be/sint-amandskerk