On a hilltop in Flemish Brabant, a perfect seven-sided basilica rises above the Belgian countryside—the geometric precision of its architecture declaring that this is no ordinary church. The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel has drawn pilgrims since the 14th century, when a small wooden statue of Mary was discovered attached to an oak tree. Today, as Belgium's national Marian shrine, Scherpenheuvel welcomes over a million visitors annually, making it the most visited pilgrimage site in the Low Countries.
The shrine's distinctive Baroque basilica, with its seven-sided floor plan and grand dome, was built by the Archdukes Albert and Isabella in the early 17th century. They transformed a local devotion into a national pilgrimage, funding the construction and establishing the annual candlelight procession that continues to this day. Every November, on the Sunday following All Saints, tens of thousands of pilgrims carry candles through the darkness to honor Our Lady.
For Catholic Flanders, Scherpenheuvel remains what it has been for centuries: the spiritual heart of the nation.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The origins of Scherpenheuvel devotion lie in the medieval period, when a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary was discovered attached to an oak tree on a sharp hill (scherpe heuvel in Dutch). The statue drew veneration from the local population, and a small chapel was built to house it.
The devotion gained royal patronage when Archduke Albert and Archduchess Isabella, the Habsburg rulers of the Spanish Netherlands, adopted Scherpenheuvel as their personal shrine. Isabella visited frequently and credited Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel with military victories against the Protestant Dutch Republic. In 1609, the archdukes commissioned architect Wenceslas Cobergher to design a magnificent basilica.
Cobergher created a masterpiece of early Baroque architecture: a seven-sided structure with a great dome, surrounded by a heptagonal arcade. The number seven held deep symbolic meaning—the seven sorrows and seven joys of Mary, the seven sacraments, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Construction was completed in 1627, and the shrine was elevated to basilica status.
The annual candlelight procession, held on the Sunday following November 1, dates to the time of the archdukes. Pilgrims descend from the hill carrying lit candles, filling the streets of Scherpenheuvel with a river of light.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel
Belgium's national Marian shrine
The seven-sided Baroque basilica houses the venerated statue of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel above the high altar. The interior features rich decoration including marble, paintings, and votive offerings accumulated over four centuries. The dome provides an acoustic wonder for liturgical celebrations.
The Heptagonal Arcade
The covered arcade surrounding the basilica provides pilgrims space for prayer and procession regardless of weather. The seven sides connect to paths descending the hill, each representing a day of the week and a different approach to Mary.
Candle Chapel
Adjacent to the basilica, this chapel provides space for pilgrims to light candles and offer prayers.
The Hill and Park
The scherpe heuvel itself—the sharp hill—remains a place of devotion. Pilgrims ascend on foot, often praying the rosary, before reaching the basilica at the summit.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Candlelight Procession — Sunday after November 1
The great annual pilgrimage draws tens of thousands who carry candles in a nighttime procession down the hill and through the streets.
Feast of the Assumption — August 15
Major celebration with special Masses and large crowds.
Monthly Pilgrimages — First Saturday
Regular organized pilgrimages on the first Saturday of each month.
Pilgrimage Season — Year-round
Unlike many shrines, Scherpenheuvel welcomes pilgrims throughout the year, with peak seasons in spring and fall.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Hotel De Zwaan ⭐⭐⭐ — Traditional hotel at the foot of the basilica hill. Reserve this hotel
Hotels in Leuven (25 km southwest) — University city with a wide range of accommodations.
Hotels in Diest (8 km north) — Historic town with several hotel options.
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Brussels Airport (BRU) is 45 km west.
By Train: Scherpenheuvel station is on the local line from Leuven and Diest. The basilica is a 10-minute walk uphill from the station.
By Car: From Brussels, take the E40 east to Leuven, then the N2 north toward Diest. Scherpenheuvel is well-signposted. Parking available near the basilica.
📚 Further Reading
Luc Duerloo. Dynasty and Piety: Archduke Albert and Isabella and the Habsburg Netherlands — Scholarly study of the archdukes who built Scherpenheuvel.
Kristof Smeyers. Scherpenheuvel: Een bedevaartsoord in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden — History of the shrine (in Dutch).
🔗 Useful Links
Basilica of Scherpenheuvel — Official site with Mass schedules and pilgrimage information.
Scherpenheuvel-Zichem Tourism — Regional visitor information.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Koekelberg (50 km west) — National Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Beauraing (90 km south) — Virgin of the Golden Heart apparition site.
Banneux (70 km east) — Our Lady of the Poor apparition site.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"The Mother of God has never ceased to obtain spiritual benefits in those who, with faith and devotion, come here to pray." — Pope Francis, Visit to Loreto, March 25, 2019
