Johan van den Mooter – Kempens Landschap (KL)
‘Kempens Landschap’ is a non-profit landscape organization based in the Belgian province of Antwerp. Its main objectives are the acquisition, protection, management and restoration of the landscape as a whole. Essential is the multi-disciplinary approach (landscape includes nature, heritage, agriculture and tourism), which was awarded in 2014 the Europa Nostra Grand Prix for dedicated service. Religious heritage is an important aspect of ‘Kempens Landschap’s’ activities, ranging from small roadside chapels to presbyteries, schools and large cloisters, always located in the countryside.
Small religious heritage like a cross, a chapel or Maria cave sometimes appeals more to the people than large churches or cathedrals. It has local significance, based on popular devotion. It is typical for the landscape in our region and broader in Europe. You don’t even have to be faithful to enjoy the atmosphere of places where people in the past left behind the expressions of their faith in the landscape. However, the secularization of Flanders also applies here in Antwerp and without intervention many valuable, but not always protected, relics are threatened to disappear.
SIRE – (Social Innovation – conservation Religious heritage)
Since 2010, ‘Kempens Landschap’ has been involved in the European Interreg IVa project SIRE, along with 24 other partners. The aim of this project is a sustainable conservation and the opening up of small religious heritage in different regions of Flanders and the Netherlands. ‘Kempens Landschap’ is leading the project within the Antwerp region and coordinates the drawing up of an inventory, inspections, restorations and touristic development of numerous chapels, caves, graves and other religious elements in 8 municipalities.
The project idea initiated in the Dutch Limburg region and was able to grow and extend to three regions in Flanders thanks to the possibilities of the transnational Interreg programmes. Among the high number of project partners are communities themselves or as ‘Kempens Landschap’ larger cluster partners that have a regional work area. The project was financed for 50% by Interreg, the communities and partners cofinance the rest (fig.1-2).
Inventories and inspections: the numbers tell the tale
In a first project phase ‘Kempens Landschap’ has, in cooperation with ‘Monumentenwacht Antwerpen’ and the 8 municipalities concerned, inventoried and inspected no less than 200 objects (fig.3-4). This was necessary to get an understanding of the quantity and building physical condition of the objects in the area in question. Thanks to this thorough analysis each municipality now has the right instruments to either incite or to act itself on the maintenance and repair of the small religious heritage.
In addition to built relics attention within the project was also given to an inventory of valuable monumental trees. Planted in gratitude of a miraculous healing, in honor of a local event or saint, these (linden)trees often carry with them a symbolic meaning. Ribbons were hung against fever, nails hammered in trees to implore a blessing and pieces of bark were seen as talisman. Often, these trees form an integral part of the religious experience and as landscape association we look not only to the buildings, but also to the bigger picture, including the context.
Vatical examples
‘Kempens Landschap’ sets a good example by renovating some chapels and their environment itself in cooperation with the municipalities (fig.5-6). 12 projects have already been finished in this manner. For the objects ‘Kempens Landschap’ could not cover, a manual and a suggestion of maintenance and restoration work is remitted to the respective owners. In the future owners can more easily maintain their own chapel thanks to this support.
With protected objects the controlling authorities expect that licensed artisans carry out specific restorative interventions such as the restoration of rustic cement or imposed cement jointing (fig.7-8). However for simple measures such as the cleaning of gutters or removing moss, different project partners within SIRE are working together with partners from the social service economy.
For example for the cleanup of the plantations around the chapels and crosses ‘Kempens Landschap’ appeals to a social work center that comes into action after the restoration phase. Thanks to this project these workers will learn new skills that will improve their employability for the regular job market. This aspect gives SIRE project also a socio-economic touch.
On the road with saints
A final aspect of the SIRE-project concerns the opening up of small religious heritage to the public. The inventory delivered a lot of data which can also be of use from a touristic point of view. For the Antwerp region several walking and cycling routes are mapped out along the most beautiful or interesting objects of the project.
For the first time in Flanders a digital cycling route with an app for smartphones has been developed. By means of the app local figures such as the so-called ‘sports friar’ Van Clé who biked through the region for years or the Holy Dimpna bring their story to life (fig.9). Their story invites the cyclist to stop every now and then to reflect on beautiful places but also on pertinent, philosophical questions. Experience and at the same time, a little reflection on the go. Historical religious heritage is so translated to modern society.
A future for the past?
In addition to the bicycle routes within the province of Antwerp the SIRE-project produced another digital result. With the website www.erfgoedkompas.nl, the project bundled all inventory initiatives of the partners involved in one database, including an app for mobile use. With a few clicks, the user can quickly and easily find out where crosses, chapels etc. are, view pictures and (background) information of the items. This Dutch starting point at project-level shows the relevance of linking existing inventories of small religious heritage at a European level. Such an initiative would not only be of scientific importance, but could also offer added value for tourism.
The question is whether Europe will continue to devote resources to initiatives on small religious heritage in the future. Kempens Landschap already sees the problems increasing with a declining number of private owners who take pity on this vulnerable type of heritage. In the past, many objects in the Antwerp region, especially alongside roads, ended up in (local) government hands. They too are budgeting less resources for restoration and maintenance.
‘Kempens Landschap’ makes it its mission to continue to work for small religious heritage, as an important landscape characteristic for the region. Doing so we try to make the difference on site. Perhaps less high and prominent than a church tower, small religious heritage remains just as interesting due to their number, scenic value and local symbolism.
Johan van den Mooter is project coordinator at Kempens Landschap.
Johan van den Mooter – Kempens Landschap (KL)
‘Kempens Landschap’ is a non-profit landscape organization based in the Belgian province of Antwerp. Its main objectives are the acquisition, protection, management and restoration of the landscape as a whole. Essential is the multi-disciplinary approach (landscape includes nature, heritage, agriculture and tourism), which was awarded in 2014 the Europa Nostra Grand Prix for dedicated service. Religious heritage is an important aspect of ‘Kempens Landschap’s’ activities, ranging from small roadside chapels to presbyteries, schools and large cloisters, always located in the countryside.
Small religious heritage like a cross, a chapel or Maria cave sometimes appeals more to the people than large churches or cathedrals. It has local significance, based on popular devotion. It is typical for the landscape in our region and broader in Europe. You don’t even have to be faithful to enjoy the atmosphere of places where people in the past left behind the expressions of their faith in the landscape. However, the secularization of Flanders also applies here in Antwerp and without intervention many valuable, but not always protected, relics are threatened to disappear.
SIRE – (Social Innovation – conservation Religious heritage)
Since 2010, ‘Kempens Landschap’ has been involved in the European Interreg IVa project SIRE, along with 24 other partners. The aim of this project is a sustainable conservation and the opening up of small religious heritage in different regions of Flanders and the Netherlands. ‘Kempens Landschap’ is leading the project within the Antwerp region and coordinates the drawing up of an inventory, inspections, restorations and touristic development of numerous chapels, caves, graves and other religious elements in 8 municipalities.
The project idea initiated in the Dutch Limburg region and was able to grow and extend to three regions in Flanders thanks to the possibilities of the transnational Interreg programmes. Among the high number of project partners are communities themselves or as ‘Kempens Landschap’ larger cluster partners that have a regional work area. The project was financed for 50% by Interreg, the communities and partners cofinance the rest (fig.1-2).
Inventories and inspections: the numbers tell the tale
In a first project phase ‘Kempens Landschap’ has, in cooperation with ‘Monumentenwacht Antwerpen’ and the 8 municipalities concerned, inventoried and inspected no less than 200 objects (fig.3-4). This was necessary to get an understanding of the quantity and building physical condition of the objects in the area in question. Thanks to this thorough analysis each municipality now has the right instruments to either incite or to act itself on the maintenance and repair of the small religious heritage.
In addition to built relics attention within the project was also given to an inventory of valuable monumental trees. Planted in gratitude of a miraculous healing, in honor of a local event or saint, these (linden)trees often carry with them a symbolic meaning. Ribbons were hung against fever, nails hammered in trees to implore a blessing and pieces of bark were seen as talisman. Often, these trees form an integral part of the religious experience and as landscape association we look not only to the buildings, but also to the bigger picture, including the context.
Vatical examples
‘Kempens Landschap’ sets a good example by renovating some chapels and their environment itself in cooperation with the municipalities (fig.5-6). 12 projects have already been finished in this manner. For the objects ‘Kempens Landschap’ could not cover, a manual and a suggestion of maintenance and restoration work is remitted to the respective owners. In the future owners can more easily maintain their own chapel thanks to this support.
With protected objects the controlling authorities expect that licensed artisans carry out specific restorative interventions such as the restoration of rustic cement or imposed cement jointing (fig.7-8). However for simple measures such as the cleaning of gutters or removing moss, different project partners within SIRE are working together with partners from the social service economy.
For example for the cleanup of the plantations around the chapels and crosses ‘Kempens Landschap’ appeals to a social work center that comes into action after the restoration phase. Thanks to this project these workers will learn new skills that will improve their employability for the regular job market. This aspect gives SIRE project also a socio-economic touch.
On the road with saints
A final aspect of the SIRE-project concerns the opening up of small religious heritage to the public. The inventory delivered a lot of data which can also be of use from a touristic point of view. For the Antwerp region several walking and cycling routes are mapped out along the most beautiful or interesting objects of the project.
For the first time in Flanders a digital cycling route with an app for smartphones has been developed. By means of the app local figures such as the so-called ‘sports friar’ Van Clé who biked through the region for years or the Holy Dimpna bring their story to life (fig.9). Their story invites the cyclist to stop every now and then to reflect on beautiful places but also on pertinent, philosophical questions. Experience and at the same time, a little reflection on the go. Historical religious heritage is so translated to modern society.
A future for the past?
In addition to the bicycle routes within the province of Antwerp the SIRE-project produced another digital result. With the website www.erfgoedkompas.nl, the project bundled all inventory initiatives of the partners involved in one database, including an app for mobile use. With a few clicks, the user can quickly and easily find out where crosses, chapels etc. are, view pictures and (background) information of the items. This Dutch starting point at project-level shows the relevance of linking existing inventories of small religious heritage at a European level. Such an initiative would not only be of scientific importance, but could also offer added value for tourism.
The question is whether Europe will continue to devote resources to initiatives on small religious heritage in the future. Kempens Landschap already sees the problems increasing with a declining number of private owners who take pity on this vulnerable type of heritage. In the past, many objects in the Antwerp region, especially alongside roads, ended up in (local) government hands. They too are budgeting less resources for restoration and maintenance.
‘Kempens Landschap’ makes it its mission to continue to work for small religious heritage, as an important landscape characteristic for the region. Doing so we try to make the difference on site. Perhaps less high and prominent than a church tower, small religious heritage remains just as interesting due to their number, scenic value and local symbolism.
Johan van den Mooter is project coordinator at Kempens Landschap.
Further information:
http://www.kempenslandschap.be/en/video/
http://www.monumentenwacht.be/sites/www.monumentenwacht.be/files/page/BrochureEnglish.pdf
http://www.erfgoedkompas.nl/nl/
Further information:
http://www.kempenslandschap.be/en/video/
http://www.monumentenwacht.be/sites/www.monumentenwacht.be/files/page/BrochureEnglish.pdf
http://www.erfgoedkompas.nl/nl/
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