In the middle of the woods on the Hatert/Overasselt fens stands the remarkable chapel of St. Walrick. Walrick has for centuries been a place of pilgrimage, where people hang pieces of cloth in the tree to be cured of disease. Hence, the tree next to the chapel is known as ‘the fever tree’.
Legend
A fascinating legend is linked to the chapel. In the 8th century, Walrick, the chief highwayman, accidentally took Willibrord prisoner. Willibrord persuaded Walrick to convert to Christianity, on condition that Willibrord cure Walrick’s sick daughter. This did indeed take place, partly attributed to the fact that the daughter hung a piece of clothing in a nearby tree.
Fever tree
Other versions of the legend abound. One of these even puts Charlemagne in the leading role. Whatever the truth, Walrick has for centuries been a place of pilgrimage, where people hang pieces of cloth in the tree to be cured of disease. Hence, the tree next to the chapel is known as ‘the fever tree’. It should perhaps be noted that the curative powers have to be passed on to a new tree every now and then. The present oak is a mere 100 years old.
Chapel
The piece of land on which the chapel stands was probably gifted in 855 to the Benedictine abbey of Keizersweerd at Düsseldorf. Later it came into the possession of the Benedictine abbey in Valéry-sur-Somme (north of Paris). The name ‘Walrick’ is possibly a derivation of this. The abbey also included two farms. The present chapel dates from the 15th century.
Excavation
A much bigger ruin stood here a hundred years ago. Just when the excavations had been carried out and the ruin was due to be restored, WWII broke out. The Allies were careless with the ruin, little of which remained in the aftermath. After the war, the chapel was partly rebuilt with old stones from the former castle of Balgoij.
Hermitage
Architectural research has shown that the chapel once had an attic. The building therefore probably functioned not only as a house of God, but also as a hermitage. It was probably the home of a hermit who had shut himself off from the world in order to have closer contact with God. A number of such hermitages have been preserved in Limburg.
