Reading Between The Lines - The Steel Chapel

In the little town of Borgloon, Belgium, there are a lot of hills. On top of one of those hills, lies a steel chapel called Reading Between The Lines. The Chapel was designed by Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, and is constructed out of thousands of steel slats. The artists got the idea for the chapel from the church ruins scattered around the countryside. They wanted people to think about the churches from their past, and to appreciate them just a little bit more, instead of letting them fall into decay after being abandoned. They also thought it would be interesting to create a church that blended perfectly into it's natural surroundings. A place to commune with both God and nature, if you will. They did an excellent job. I can just imagine how the church must change and adapt to each new season. And let's not forget the view. It's spectacular! The church is 10 meters high, and is constructed of 100 layers of weathered steel plates. It was welded at another location, and only took one day to assemble on the hilltop of Borgloon.

If you're interested in seeing the church in person, then head on over to Borgloon. When you get to the intersection of Sint-Truidersteenweg and Grootloonstraat, look for a little paper sign with an arrow on it. Head up the tiny, one lane road (through the orchard) that the arrow is pointing to. When you reach the picnic table, you're there.

Trust me, it's worth it.

Sint Hubertuskapel in Hechtel-Eksel

In past centuries, there were little chapels here and there along the country side. They were outside the villages, and along roads. They were a place to stop and rest, as well as a place of worship. They were normally near a farmhouse, and those residents both guarded and maintained the small buildings. Some of these chapels are still here today. Sint Hubertuskapel is one of those chapels, and dates back to 1599. The chapels were normally built in the Romanesque or Baroque style, made of brick, roofed with slate, and had a solid oak door. It's my understanding that this carving shows God's protection of both the people and their livestock against disease. (Don't quote me on that one. It's hard to find exact information on some things around here.) Sint Hubertuskapel sits quietly at the edge of a field, on the outskirts of town. And she patiently waits for the odd visitor or two. Cars speed by on the road outside her front door, much quicker than people used to travel when she was younger. It doesn't bother her much. She's seen a lot over the past several hundred years. She's got plenty of time. And she's not going anywhere.

Little Chapel In The Woods

Ahhhhhh. Friday. I took this picture during a little break in the rain. This chapel is normally hidden in a small grove of trees beside the canal, but with the recent change in the weather, she now sits exposed. She's a pretty little building, and receives a light (but steady) stream of visitors. Her doors are always open, and she welcomes those in need. Feel free to stop by and stay a while. You'll find that she is a rather good listener.