chapel of Saint-Anne

The Chapel of Saint Anne sits on a small mound at the main crossroads of Halloux, a tiny hamlet of about thirty houses belonging to the town of Limbourg in the province of Liège, Wallonia. Halloux occupies a ridge on a hill reaching 305 meters in elevation, roughly one kilometer south of Limbourg's historic center. That modest, elevated position — right on the crossroads, surrounded by fields and scattered rural houses — is exactly why the chapel has served for generations as a landmark for locals and passers-by alike.

What does the chapel look like?

The building follows an octagonal plan, which sets it apart from the more common rectangular wayside chapels found across the region. It was built from brick and cut stone, a combination that gives the structure both solidity and a decorative edge. Two linden trees flank the chapel, framing it in a way that has made the small ensemble recognizable from a distance for as long as anyone in the hamlet can remember.

What is the history behind this site?

A first chapel was raised here between 1560 and 1566, on a spot previously marked by a cross. Over the following centuries the building was destroyed on more than one occasion — hardly a surprise in a region that has repeatedly found itself on the front line of armed conflict. The chapel's current form dates back to 1774, when it was rebuilt into the shape that, with later repairs, has survived to the present day.

The most dramatic chapter in the chapel's history came in September 1944. During the fighting to liberate the region, the building took a direct hit from a tank shell fired by the First American Army. The damage was severe enough that reconstruction took several years — the chapel was finally rebuilt in 1947, restoring its earlier appearance.

Is the chapel protected as heritage?

Yes. Since 1949, the Chapel of Saint Anne has been listed on Limbourg's roster of classified immovable heritage. That listing protects the building from unauthorized alterations and ensures that its historic form — the octagonal plan, its materials, and the linden trees around it — is preserved for future generations.

What role does the chapel play today?

The chapel remains part of the parish of Limbourg and continues to serve the local community as a place of devotion connected to the cult of Saint Anne. Standing at the crossroads in the heart of the hamlet, it acts as a natural point of reference for anyone walking or exploring the countryside around Limbourg — a region known for its historic town center and the scenic hills of the province of Liège.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the chapel located? In the hamlet of Halloux, about one kilometer south of Limbourg's town center, in the province of Liège, Wallonia.

When was the current chapel built? The present structure dates from 1774, though a first chapel stood on the same spot as early as 1560–1566.

Why did the chapel need to be rebuilt in the late 1940s? In September 1944, the building was struck by a tank shell fired by the First American Army during the liberation fighting; reconstruction was completed in 1947.

Is the chapel legally protected? Yes, it has been listed as classified immovable heritage of Limbourg since 1949.