Polderkapel

Polderkapel is a small roadside chapel in Grimbergen, one of five stops on a local heritage walking route dedicated to the town's chapels. It stands on the corner of Roostbaan, in a quiet setting typical of rural Flanders — away from heavy traffic, yet clearly visible to walkers and cyclists passing by.

Where does the chapel come from?

The first chapel on this spot was built in 1847 on a plot known as Polderweide, which gave the chapel its name. That original structure did not survive unchanged into the present day: in 1947, exactly a century after the first chapel went up, Jan Pirein rebuilt it as a memorial to the Second World War and dedicated it to Mary. The century-later reconstruction gives the site an extra layer of meaning — a marker of recovery and renewal after the hardship of wartime occupation.

What does the Polderkapel look like?

The chapel is built of brick on a natural stone base, with a slate roof topped by an iron cross. Its main feature is a semi-circular niche set into the front wall, holding an image of Mary with the Christ Child. The statue is shielded from weather and interference by a pane of glass and an iron grille — a combination typical of Marian roadside chapels in this part of Flanders, where simple architectural forms are paired with careful attention to protective detail.

What role did it play in local life?

For decades, the Polderkapel was a genuine focal point of popular devotion. Every May, the traditional Marian month, residents of the surrounding area would gather here to pray the rosary together. Each October, a novena — a nine-day devotional observance — was held at the chapel. The statue of Mary from this chapel also had its place in the town's annual Ommegang procession, carried alongside other venerated images from around Grimbergen. These customs show that the chapel was never just a piece of scenery, but an active part of the community's religious calendar.

Why is it worth a visit?

The Polderkapel is one of five stops on the Grimbergse Kapellenwandeling, a walking route linking chapels of very different character: the art-deco Sint-Servaaskapel, the Hoge Beekkantkapel, the austere neoclassical Veldkantkapel, and the oldest of them all, the Wezenhaagkapel. Seeing the Polderkapel on its own takes only a few minutes, but combined with the other stops it offers a fuller picture of what religious life and sacral architecture looked like in the small towns of this part of Flemish Brabant. It makes a good target for a short walk that pairs local history with a quiet moment away from the bustle.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Polderkapel built? The original chapel dates from 1847, and the current structure is a 1947 reconstruction by Jan Pirein, built as a memorial to the Second World War.

Who is the chapel dedicated to? The chapel is dedicated to Mary — the niche holds an image of her with the Christ Child.

Can it be visited independently? Yes, it stands beside a public road on the corner of Roostbaan and can be viewed from the outside year-round, with no booking required.

Is the Polderkapel part of a larger tourist route? Yes, it is one of five chapels included in the Grimbergse Kapellenwandeling, a walking route through the Grimbergen area.