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Vrijhern Hermitage

A unique piece of heritage
March 12, 2026 by
Vrijhern Hermitage
Manu Ketelslegers

 

On Sunday morning, a cozy mass celebration takes place, and in the afternoon, the charming café with a terrace opens for a delicious piece of pie, a tasty pancake, and in the winter, a bowl of fresh soup.

Fun activities are organised in and around the site throughout the year, and you definitely want to experience the famous "kluisdagen" in mid-August.

This unique location has its origins in 1685 when a certain Brother van Elst settled there. In 1705, the Loreto Chapel was built based on the model of the Holy House of Nazareth in the pilgrimage site of Loreto (IT). After the last brothers left in 1904, the site was restored in 1968. Today, the Kluis van Vrijhern is the only inhabited hermitage in Limburg. The chapel is open daily.

There are also 3 beautiful hiking trails departing from the Kluis.

Hiking routes