Geel Attractions
The town of Geel is situated in the center of an agricultural region in Kempenland in the eastern part of the province of Antwerp. It is well known for its pioneering method of treating psychiatric patients and the mentally ill. They receive treatment at a large psychiatric hospital but live in the community with families, taking part in everyday life. There are about 1,400 patients living in Geel.
This tradition is derived from the legend of St Dymphna or Dimpna, the patron saint of the possessed and insane. Dymphna was an Irish princess from the sixth C. who fled from her father who wanted to marry her after the death of his wife. With her confessor Gerebernus Dymphna sought refuge in Geel, but she was discovered by her father who, in a frenzy, is supposed to have decapitated her. The town soon became a place of pilgrimage for the mentally ill. The pilgrims who came to visit the tomb were accommodated by the townspeople, a custom which has remained, although in a different form, until the present day. An annual fair, the oldest in Belgium, resulted from the pilgrimages.
This tradition is derived from the legend of St Dymphna or Dimpna, the patron saint of the possessed and insane. Dymphna was an Irish princess from the sixth C. who fled from her father who wanted to marry her after the death of his wife. With her confessor Gerebernus Dymphna sought refuge in Geel, but she was discovered by her father who, in a frenzy, is supposed to have decapitated her. The town soon became a place of pilgrimage for the mentally ill. The pilgrims who came to visit the tomb were accommodated by the townspeople, a custom which has remained, although in a different form, until the present day. An annual fair, the oldest in Belgium, resulted from the pilgrimages.
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Grobbendonk, Belgium
(Near Herentals)
At Grobbendonk, 6km/4miles west of Herentals, a diamond museum informs the visitor of all there is to know about the mining and working of these precious stones. Reproductions of the most famous diamonds are on display.
Herentals, Belgium
(Near Geel)
Herentals - Begijnhof
The béguinage was founded in 1266 and is the oldest in Kempenland. It was destroyed by the Geuzen in 1578, but rebuilt in 1590; in 1614 the late Gothic béguinage church, Sint Catherinakerk, was completed. Other interesting buildings around the landscaped inner courtyard are the fondatiehuis (1647) and the sick hall (1715).
Herentals - Het Netepark
A salt spring-water swimming pool, a sandy beach, mini-golf, tabletennis and a BMX-Track are available to visitors.
Herentals - Karel August Fraikin Museum
On the top floor is a museum in honor of the sculptor Karel August Fraikin who was born in the town.
Herentals - Sint-Waldetrudiskerk
Sint-Waldetrudiskerk is a fine example of Brabant High Gothic, its oldest parts being the lower part of the tower and the transept (14th C.). The choir and nave were built in the 15th C.
Inside is the retable depicting the martyrdom of Sts Crispinus and Crispianus, the patron saints of shoemakers and tanners, an outstanding work by Pasquier Borreman (16th C.). Among the numerous paintings are works by Frans Francken the Elder of Herentals; choir stalls and confessionals survived the iconoclastic fury.
Inside is the retable depicting the martyrdom of Sts Crispinus and Crispianus, the patron saints of shoemakers and tanners, an outstanding work by Pasquier Borreman (16th C.). Among the numerous paintings are works by Frans Francken the Elder of Herentals; choir stalls and confessionals survived the iconoclastic fury.
Herentals - Town Hall
The town hall in the center of Herentals is the former cloth hall dating from the beginning of the 15th C. and rebuilt in 1534 following a fire. A niche on the north facade houses a Madonna statue from 1616. The narrow belfry contains a carillon with 50 bells (1590).
The tower is a UNESCO site.
The tower is a UNESCO site.
Lommel - German Military Cemetery
South of Lommel which lies 30km/18miles northwest of Geel is a military cemetery where German soldiers killed in Belgium during the Second World war are buried. The 20,000 crosses represent the 40,000 graves.
Also here are 541 soldiers killed in action in the First World War and Polish soldiers killed in action in the Second World War.
Also here are 541 soldiers killed in action in the First World War and Polish soldiers killed in action in the Second World War.
Sint-Dimpna Gasthuis
The first hospital was founded in Geel in 1280; the present day buildings are primarily from the 17th C. and have been converted into a local museum with collections of furniture, paintings and church exhibits.
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