An imposing Lourdes grotto stands in the park, at a crossroads, in the middle of the village of Luttenberg, which belongs to the municipality of Raalte and is located in the province of Overijssel. It is a large, concrete grotto with statues of Maria and Bernadette Soubirous. A fence screens the grotto.
A marble memorial stone at the grotto states that the structure was realised in 1914-1915. Furthermore, it mentions that the Lourdes grotto was built as a place of prayer and rest, with perpetual lighting installed in 1950 as thanks for the safe return of all those who served in the Dutch East Indies. The grotto was restored in 1975-1976 thanks to the labour and donations of many.
The construction of the Lourdes Grotto is carried out under the direction of Petrus Butzelaar (1865-1938), priest in Luttenberg from 1906 to 1938. The statue of Mary comes from the workshop of architect Petrus Josephus Hubertus (Pierre) Cuypers (1827-1921) from Roermond. In 1912-1913, Father Butzelaar had a procession path laid out for the church, and subsequently, a Lourdes Grotto was added to this path. The Lourdes Grotto encourages visits to the procession path. The grotto is a gift from parishioners to the priest during the celebration of his 25th priestly anniversary in 1914. The wrought-iron fencing for the grotto is by local blacksmith Gerardus Johannes Antonius Oortwijn (1877-1966).
In 1950, the niche with the Lourdes statue is illuminated by an electric wreath of lights. This was in thanks for the safe return of 20 soldiers from the Indies. It is a perpetual light.
Between 1973 and 1975, the Lourdes Grotto was partially replaced and thoroughly restored. The Lourdes Grotto features an artificial rock formation with rough plasterwork. Notably, the figure of Bernadette is situated to the right of the niche containing the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. According to the apparitions of Mary to Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858, this should be on the left. Candles can be lit in the lower niche of the grotto.
Since 1999, the Lourdes Grotto has been a national monument.
In the lower area of the well-kept Lourdes grotto there is a devotion table.
Address: Butzelaarstraat, opposite number 5, 8105AP Luttenberg.
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