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Sint-Annakapel

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Hidden within the heart of Brussels stands the Sint-Annakapel. Its story is one of whispered secrets and surprising twists.

Built in 1864 by Adélie Van der Meulen a wealthy woman from the Mulle de Terschueren family it’s a neo-Gothic marvel. Pierre Nicolas Croquison the provincial architect designed it. Yet strangely it was never consecrated. Some say it was due to an error in its north-south alignment. Others suggest a more mysterious reason.

Adélie’s daughter was rumored to be pregnant at 22 following a royal encounter. She married an older man. Whispers claimed the child was King Leopold II’s illegitimate offspring. Some believe Adélie built the Sint-Annakapel hoping divine intervention would guide her daughter.

The Sint-Annakapel wasn’t just a site of familial drama. Its location near taverns like “De Capelle” and “t’ Meyken” made it a backdrop for 19th-century life. These taverns served genever. Annual cycling festivals featured riders circling a genever barrel taking a drink each lap. The resulting atmosphere was lively. Sadly the area also struggled with poverty and unrest fueled by genever’s overuse among day laborers and brickmakers. Adélie hoped the chapel would bring peace.

The Sint-Annakapel even played a role in wartime. In May 1940 German troops entered Tielt. Fearful of snipers they herded residents of Putterijstraat into the Sint-Annakapel. Men women and children lay on the cold floor while a machine gun fired volleys above their heads. This is just one chapter in its intriguing past.

After its initial construction the Sint-Annakapel fell into disuse. The pastor of Dentergem feared losing parishioners to the newer chapel. The interior including pews cabinets and the altar was moved to a nearby nursing home. It even served as a cowshed. The cows were gathered there for their annual vaccinations.

Today the Sint-Annakapel is being restored. Its facade features hidden tattoos. These are part of a captivating journey through the chapel’s history. The Sint-Annakapel continues to surprise and inspire. It’s a testament to faith family secrets and the enduring spirit of Brussels.

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