I enjoy visiting Valkenburg in Limburg. On every visit to this tourist town, I go to the Cauberg. After walking over a hundred metres up this hill and passing the Gemeentegrot, I arrive at the Lourdesgrot.
Upon seeing the Lourdes Grotto in Valkenburg, I always notice that this grotto is a faithful replica of the memorable grotto in Lourdes, located in the south of France. In Valkenburg, a marlstone wall has been used for the Lourdes Grotto, and this makes the grotto unique in the Netherlands. After all, elsewhere a Lourdes Grotto has been artificially made with concrete, rocks, or stones.
I understand that in 1926 the parish bought the undeveloped land where the Lourdes Grotto now stands from the municipality of Valkenburg for a mere 25 guilders. A bargain, I think. Work began immediately after the purchase. On 30 April 1926, the statue of Mary was placed in the Lourdes Grotto, and the grotto was completed in 1928. Subsequently, the parish placed the Limburg Lourdes Grotto under an independent foundation. The statue of Bernadette was made in 1934. The Lourdes Grotto was restored in 1990.
I'm going up the stairs and arrive at the grounds for the grotto, where there are many benches. Each bench has a name on it, and all the benches are sponsored. I see that even Saint Nicholas has funded one. High up in the grotto stands Mary, as in Lourdes.
Next to the benches, a small shop is located to sell devotional items. This retail space is called “De Bron” and is open for about 9 months a year. I see a lot of novena candles for sale here. During the period from early November to early January, Valkenburg is a famous Christmas town. The sale of devotional items is then in a shop, located on Kerkstraat.
I don't find the Lourdes Grotto an attraction for tourists, but rather a religious, peaceful place. I experience this space on the Cauberg as an oasis of calm, right in the middle of the usually busy Valkenburg. Many Marian devotees come to this grotto. A large part of them come from Flanders, and not just when there are cycle races on the Cauberg.
Here too, at this grotto, I light a few candles with intentions for acquaintances and a few friends. I find it of great value that in a busy tourist town there is a freely accessible place for prayer and rest. The Lourdes Grotto is a welcome gift for many.
The grotto is accessible every day of the year, up until sunset. The Lourdes grotto is visited by more than 50,000 people annually.
In Valkenburg, statues of Mary can also be seen in the niche of the 14th-century Berkelpoort and in that of the equally old Grendelpoort.
Lourdes Grotto Address: Cauberg 16, 6301 BT Valkenburg.
There is also an image of Mary in the alcove of the monumental gate at the Church of St Nicolas and St Barbara.
In July 2021, there were floods in the south of the Netherlands, and Valkenburg was also affected because the River Geul could not cope with the large volume of water. The Church of Saints Nicholas and Barbara, situated right on the banks of the Geul, suffered extensive damage. The water level inside the church reached over one metre high. The restoration is being carried out with determination.
Another image of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, can be found in Maternusstraat, a side street of Berkelstraat. The statue stands above a small gate and a stone plaque bears the dates 1724-1948.
A visit can also be made to some caves and the castle ruins. The castle is situated on the Heunsberg and is largely in ruins. It is the only hilltop castle in the Netherlands. The first construction of a castle took place in 1075, but this fortress was later destroyed. Subsequently, another castle was built on the mountain and later expanded in phases. The castle was almost entirely destroyed in 1672. There used to be a chapel within the castle. The remains are walls that have remained standing and were restored in 1923. These walls indicate that the octagonal chapel was tall and large. The altar of the chapel was located on the east side, where the sign “kapel” (chapel) hangs.
Daalhemerweg 27, Valkenburg.
