The “Via Monastica” in Westerlo, Antwerp Province, has been introduced as a new pilgrimage route for people undertaking the journey to Santiago de Compostela.
The route, which connects existing Dutch and French Compostela paths, passes through Antwerp’s Kempen area.
Starting in Vessem, North Brabant, the Via Monastica stretches for 283 kilometres, ending in Rocroi, France. It is designed for pilgrims travelling through Belgium to reach Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
The Flemish Compostela Society carefully mapped out the route, prioritising walking safety and notable sights.
The journey through Kempen, Hageland, Haspengouw, and Wallonia offers a unique mix of diverse natural experiences, monastic sites, and charming towns and villages.
The Via Monastica is named after the monastic sites along the way, including the Norbertine abbeys of Postel, Tongerlo, Averbode, and Leffe.
There are also twelve alternative routes, which either highlight points of interest or provide quicker passage for those whose time is limited.
The Compostela Society has published a new walking guide for the Via Monastica, which is fully signposted with directional signs and Jacobus shells.
