The Holy Oak walking route | Myths & Legends
Impossible! A small statue of the Virgin Mary floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze? That’s strange enough. But for the statue to miraculously vanish from the church in Oirschot and turn up in an old, hollow oak tree? That really takes the biscuit. Yet it happened here, in this area, according to a myth that has been passed down from person to person here for centuries. The Holy Oak has been felled; in roughly the same spot, you’ll find a beautiful white chapel that commemorates this folk tale. A replica of the statue of the Virgin Mary can be found in that chapel; the original stands in St Peter’s Basilica in Oirschot. Or… might it still be there?
The Kleine Beerze has always been there. But…
Impossible! A small statue of the Virgin Mary floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze? That’s strange enough. But for the statue to miraculously vanish from the church in Oirschot and turn up in an old, hollow oak tree? That really takes the biscuit. Yet it happened here, in this area, according to a myth that has been passed down from person to person here for centuries. The Holy Oak has been felled; in roughly the same spot, you’ll find a beautiful white chapel that commemorates this folk tale. A replica of the statue of the Virgin Mary can be found in that chapel; the original stands in St Peter’s Basilica in Oirschot. Or… might it still be there?
The Kleine Beerze has always been there. But the people who worked, lived and passed by this river have changed. On this 9-kilometre walking route, you’ll wander through the fairytale-like area around the Kleine and Grote Beerze near Oirschot. The long avenues, the dense woods and the vast grasslands: something magical could well happen here.
Can you hear the crackling of branches? Perhaps it’s a roe deer, a squirrel or one of the many birds in this area. At the drawbridge, you cross the canal: this is the area of the Holy Oak. Step over the threshold of the Chapel of the Holy Oak and feel free to light a candle. Can you see Mary? After a moment of peace and reflection, you continue your walk through woods, along and across the meandering Kleine Beerze, through greenery and occasionally past a farm. And as you walk there, it’s easy to imagine that the most beautiful stories were born in a place like this. With your head full of inspiration, you return to the starting point.
For a good cup of coffee and a visit to the impressive St Peter’s Basilica, a detour via the equally fairytale-like town of Oirschot – either before or after your walk – is well worth it.
Kleine Beerze: A stream valley full of stories
For over 10,000 years, the Kleine Beerze has attracted passers-by who have stayed there for shorter or longer periods. Hunter-gatherers, Romans, gnomes, pilgrims, marauders, pedlars and – nowadays – walkers.
Where there are people, stories come to life. Let yourself be carried away along five circular walks through the enchanting stream valley of the Kleine Beerze. Discover myths that sought to explain supernatural phenomena, and mysteries that remain unsolved.
The Mysterious Miracle
of the Virgin Mary The year is 1406. A shepherd can’t believe his eyes: a small statue of the Virgin Mary is floating upstream in the Kleine Beerze! He retrieves the statue from the water and places it in a hollow oak tree. A villager does not consider this a suitable place and takes the statue to the church in Oirschot. But the next day, the statue has disappeared and mysteriously returned to the hollow of the oak tree. The villagers see this as a supernatural sign to build a Marian chapel on the site of the sacred oak. The chapel becomes a much-visited place of pilgrimage.
Follow the route along the water where the statuette once drifted upstream.
Experience exciting local tales in Brabant
In Brabant, myths and legends live on. Beautiful routes take you past the most impressive spots where local tales come to life. There are five routes centred on the myths and mysteries of the Kleine Beerze, the Holy Oak, the Mysterious Coin Hoard, the Beerse Strijkster, Steengoede Sporen and the Roman burial mound. Are you brave enough to set off on a journey of discovery through Brabant with these Myths & Legends routes? View all the routes here.
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Signposting for the Holy Oak Experience Trail | Myths and Legends
Follow the dark blue signs or the yellow-green signposts from junction to junction and walk the Holy Oak route.
Signposting for the Holy Oak Experience Trail | Myths and Legends
Follow the dark blue signs or the yellow-green signposts from junction to junction and walk the Holy Oak route.
Here’s what you’ll see
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76
Starting point:
Walking junction 76
Navigate to the starting point -
76
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73
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95
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30
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30
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33
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34
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The Chapel of the Holy Oak
The Chapel of the Holy Oak (Stop 1)
Chapel of the Holy Oak
Proosbroekweg 11
5688 JH Oirschot
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12
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30
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30
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93
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05
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74
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75
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76
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76
End point:
Walking junction 76
Navigate to the end point
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- 76
- 73
- 95
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- 30
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- 34
- 12
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- 30
- 93
- 05
- 74
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- 76