Nederland - Thorn, Kapel onder de Linden

The Kapel onder de Linden (officially the Kapel van O.L.Vrouw van Loreto onder de Linden) was built in 1673, commissioned by Canon Elisabeth of Manderscheidt-Blanckenheim from the Thorn Abbey. The chapel is a copy of the holy house in Nazareth, which, according to legend, was brought to the Italian town of Loreto by angels during a church persecution. The construction was supervised by master Willem Boyens, city architect of Roermond.

In 1811, the chapel was extended westward with a higher section, while the confessional hall was added in 1898. In the interior of the chapel, the baroque stucco decorations from the end of the 17th century, the altar with the beautifully carved oak fence in baroque style and the painted medallions are particularly important.

During the French occupation, the chapel was closed for several years. In 1797, the occupying forces decided that all church property would belong to the French state. When the French banned the church and the Catholic religion, the chapel had to be closed. In 1801 it could be used again for Catholic worship.

Since its foundation, the chapel has always attracted many devotees of Mary. Processions from the surrounding villages to the chapel are still held to this day. The Kapel onder de Linden is open for visitors.