Ell between church history and nature

Ell brings together church history, traces of a rural refuge fort and the Heijkersbroek nature area. You can shape your stay around different themes: the architectural history of the Sint-Antoniuskerk, the history of the Ellerschans or the landscape west of the village. Two walks are also described: Stage 07 of the Pelgrimspad 2 and the Dorpswandeling Ell.

The Sint-Antoniuskerk and its architectural history

The Sint-Antonius Abbot’s Church is a Rijksmonument (national heritage site), listed under monument number 22866. The present-day Neo-Romanesque church replaced the Sint-Antoniuskerk in 1912; it was designed by architect Caspar Franssen. Its history also includes destruction and rebuilding: the church tower was blown up in 1944, and the church was restored after the war. In 1953, under Jasper Franssen’s direction, the tower was rebuilt and the church extended to the west. These building phases make it possible to trace changes to the building over several decades.

Older architectural elements also contribute to its appearance: the portal of the Late Gothic chapel was reused in the west façade as the surround for the new entrance portal. The Late Gothic surround is made of sandstone. The furnishings also include 16th-century wooden figures, including a Sint-Anna-te-drieën (Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child) and a figure of Sint-Antonius Abt (Saint Anthony the Abbot). The architecture, reused portal and figures give the church several distinct historical points of reference.

Ell, Thorn and the Ellerschans

Ell originated in the late Middle Ages and historically belonged to the Abbey Principality of Thorn. A Late Gothic chapel was founded and built here in 1492. In 1808, Ell became an independent parish, whose patron saint is Saint Anthony the Abbot. This local history adds the development of the chapel and parish to the church’s later building phases.

The Ellerschans adds another chapter: today’s site is a restored rural refuge fort. Such simple defensive structures usually consisted of an earthen rampart and a ditch and were intended to repel marauding bands of soldiers. In the past, farmers and their livestock sought refuge there when war threatened. To understand its history, it is important to distinguish the reconstruction from the original location: the 17th-century Ellerschans lies a few metres from the reconstruction. The church and the fort thus represent different aspects of local history—religious development and protection in times of war.

Heijkersbroek: nature west of Ell

The 55-hectare Heijkersbroek nature area lies west of Ell, along the Tungelroyse Beek and Ellerheide. A municipal visitor information page dated 6 August 2026 lists species of grasshoppers, dragonflies and butterflies found there, including moerassprinkhaan, weidebeekjuffer and boomblauwtje. The information also lists bruin cypergras, teer guichelheil, schildereprijs, kruipende moerasweegbree and dwergbloem as notable plants. These specific species give the landscape a different focus from the buildings and historic sites in the village.

Walking and getting your bearings

Stage 07 of the Pelgrimspad 2 runs from Weert to Ell. Along this stage, the Tungelroyse Beek meanders in places, and beavers have been sighted there. The Dorpswandeling Ell evokes the historic atmosphere of Land van Thorn and follows the node sequence 11–31–33–34–35–32–71–70–11. These details offer two different ways to find your way: the Pelgrimspad gives the route from Weert to Ell, while the Dorpswandeling lists the sequence of nodes. Check the current node sequence before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Horn, Neeritter, Neer, Ittervoort, Grathem, Roggel, Hunsel, Heythuysen.

For the broader travel overview: Leudal.