Oirschot: Churches, Windmills and Landscapes

More than 350 archaeological, national and municipal monuments are part of the heritage of the municipality of Oirschot. There are also hiking trails through heathland, wetlands and forests, as well as buildings whose history dates back to the Middle Ages. When planning a trip, you can focus on local history and churches, on nature, or on a mix of both.

Churches and Architectural History in Oirschot

The first Sint-Petruskerk was built in 1268 and was the predecessor of today’s Sint-Petrusbasiliek. The basilica’s porch is open daily; tours of the basilica and visits to the tower can be booked through Visit Oirschot. Museum de Vier Quartieren is located behind the basilica in the historic centre. It is housed in a monumental former canon’s house from the late Middle Ages. Through the eyes of Vincent van Gogh, its immersive exhibition tells the story of the former life of a farming family from Oirschot. If you plan to visit this exhibition, check whether it is currently on display before your visit.

The Oude Raadhuis also tells the story of the town: it was built in 1513 with a covered market hall for trading butter, eggs, poultry and other goods. The Boterkerkje dates from the early 12th century and is considered the region’s oldest monument. In Middelbeers stands the Oude Kerkje, built between 1400 and 1450 on the orders of the Oirschot chapter. It is considered the best-preserved example of Kempen village Gothic architecture in the region.

The church in Oostelbeers was first mentioned in 1207; its surviving church tower was added between 1300 and 1350. Built in 1934, the HH Andreas en Antonius van Padua Kerk features Neo-Gothic elements and works by artist Charles Eyck: murals, stained-glass windows and a tile mural. Old murals were restored in the Mariakapel. A glass panel in the ceiling offers a view of part of the tower; in 2012, it regained its religious function as the Mariakapel.

Chapels and Religious History

The stone Mariakapel in Westelbeers was built in 1637 after a severe plague epidemic in the Beerzen area. From the 17th century onwards, annual pilgrimages to Scherpenheuvel in Belgium set out from there; they ended in 2021. The Kapel van de Heilige Eik is associated with a Marian legend dating from 1406. In 1612, the Catholic Church officially recognised the miracle, and the chapel became a much-visited place of pilgrimage.

The Karmelietessenklooster Blijendaal is also part of this history: it was founded in 1644 in Huis Blijendaal at Lintermans’s request by Maria Margaretha van Valkenisse and several fellow sisters. After van Valkenisse’s death in 1658, the monastery developed into a place of pilgrimage. The Joodse Begraafplaats, dating from around 1800, offers a different perspective on local history. Nine funerary monuments have been preserved there, eight of them Rijksmonumenten.

Hiking, Landscapes and Trails

For a manageable hike, the 9.8-kilometre Kloosterrondwandeling Oirschot combines nature and historic buildings on a circular route around Nazareth monastery. On a larger scale, Oirschot is part of the 330-kilometre Brabants Kloosterpad, a pilgrimage route connecting nature, history and reflection. The difference is therefore not just a matter of length: the Kloosterrondwandeling is a clearly defined loop, while the Brabants Kloosterpad is an extensive trail.

In De Kampina, wet heathland, ponds, bog myrtle thickets, meadows, deciduous forests and purple moor-grass meadows alternate. The badger has been back in the area since 2016. A green walking route runs through the Dal van de Beerze. Wetland birds can be spotted on its floodplain, including great egrets, teals and sedge warblers; occasionally, a black stork can also be seen. The Beerze offers opportunities for long walks through the municipality of Oirschot.

De Mortelen is a small-scale natural area with forests, tree-lined avenues, rough pastures, hedgerows, ditches, streams and long farmhouses. The area is freely accessible all year round and offers many walking trails. Landgoed Heerenbeek is part of the area; its garden and buildings are not open to the public. Landgoed Baest offers a different landscape: the estate, which is more than 800 years old, includes a Neoclassical manor house, monumental trees and gardens inspired by 18th-century English design. It covers 500 hectares, of which 262 hectares are designated as a protected Rijksmonument.

Cycling, Windmills and Local Experiences

De Groene Corridor connects Eindhoven city centre, the historic market square in Oirschot and Van Gogh Nationaal Park, offering cyclists a quick alternative route. The Stönner-Meijwaardbrug takes cyclists right into the town centre; Oirschot is also accessible via the A58 motorway. If you prefer to choose from a range of tours, the starting point at Natuurpoort De Vrolijke Jager has hiking and cycling routes, a wheelchair path and tandem bike rentals.

Windmills and brewing traditions also give your visit a tangible connection to local history. The Spoordonkse Watermolen is powered entirely by the waters of the Beerze; one of its waterwheels still grinds grain into flour. De Korenaar is a round, stone windmill of the stelling type, built in 1857. It still mills traditionally and bakes bread using its own artisan-milled flour. Museumbrouwerij Vandeoirsprong looks back on 350 years of brewing history and offers tours about the history of the local brewery.

At Speelbos De Kemmer, climbing, scrambling and building huts are among the possible activities. The play forest is open free of charge between sunrise and sunset. Alongside historic buildings and longer hiking trails, there are therefore plenty of specific outdoor activities to enjoy.

Discover more destinations: Oirschot, Westelbeers, Oost West En Middelbeers, Helmond, Dongen, Geertruidenberg, Sint Anthonis, Vught.

For the regional travel overview: North Brabant.