Borgloon - Graethemkapel

End of the 10th century a castle was erected here on a motte. This Borgloon (loon = wooden hill) and the settlement, that developed around, became the center of the county of Loon, that later shifted to Hasselt. In 1180 the castle got destroyed by the armee of Rudolf von Zähringen, prince-bishop of Liege. Already around 20 later Borgloon was granted town privileges.

In later centuries, sieges and looting still took place here - in 1467 by the pro-Burgundian troops of Adolf van Kleef-Ravenstein, in 1482, troops lead by Maximilian I of Austria ravaged the town. In 1491 the church was looted by troops of Jehannot-le-Bâtard, in 1568 and in 1577 Borgloon was looted by troops of William of Orange.

In 1604 and 1606 the town was occupied by Spanish troops. In 1629 followed by occupation by Imperial troops of Johan t'Serclaes of Tilly and in 1636 by Croatian troops led by Jan van Werth... - very rough times.

The "Johanniter" ("Order of Malta") had a hospital here and erected this chapel in the 12th century. In 1258 a beguinage was founded and the he Beguines later "took over" the chapel, that got extended in Gothic style. The chapel was rebuilt without the apse after troops of Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine, had severely damaged the building,

Today the chapel is used for cultural events.