The Sparrendaal Estate, at Park Seminarie 123, houses a Lourdes grotto. The grotto was built around 1896 on the grounds of the former Rijsenburg major seminary, where priests were trained between 1857 and 1968.
In the middle of Sparrendaal Estate stands the Lourdes Grotto. The grotto is built on an elevation and constructed with dark red bricks. The grotto is overgrown with ivy, giving it a more natural appearance. The Lourdes Grotto has an arched opening and can be accessed by two stairways. The grotto is screened off by a fence. This Lourdes Grotto is oriented towards the southeast, towards Jerusalem. In front of the grotto lies a pond. It is a spring head, where groundwater surfaces. This is created by digging a hole into the slope of a hill until groundwater is reached. This creates water pressure, and spring water then emerges from the spring head.
The closure of the major seminary in 1968 led to the disappearance of the statue of Mary. However, the situation changed in 2016. At the initiative of Hans Havers from Driebergen, the grotto was refurbished by volunteers. He also arranged for a new statue of Mary. On 20 May 2016, the grotto was restored to its former glory. The mayor of the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Frits Naafs (born 1960), reopened the Lourdes grotto by unveiling the new statue of Mary.
A kneeling bench has been made for the pond near the Lourdes grotto. The view of the Lourdes grotto from here is truly magnificent.
As of the beginning of 2023, the Lourdes Grotto has changed ownership. The forests belonging to the municipality of Driebergen have been transferred to Utrechts Landschap. The Lourdes Grotto is located in this forest area and therefore belongs to this organisation. The loyal volunteers of the Lourdes Grotto will continue to maintain and care for this special place.
The Lourdes Grotto in Driebergen/Rijsenburg is a municipal monument.
For years, the Lourdes grotto has been the most important sight in Driebergen. More than 5,000 candles are lit at the Lourdes grotto annually, and the number of visitors therefore runs into many thousands.
The cave is freely accessible and lighting a tea light is appreciated.
