Through a new pilot project, the Province of East Flanders and the local administration of Nazareth-De Pinte are exploring how local authorities can be better supported in the management, maintenance, and follow-up of chapels. The experiences gained from this project can later form the basis for a broader provincial offering.
Chapels are often small but characteristic heritage elements that tell a story about the history of a village, neighborhood, or landscape, forming part of the local identity. Proper maintenance is therefore crucial for the sustainable preservation of this heritage.
As a first step, the Province and the local administration organized a training day for staff from the technical and green services. They received practical tips for managing and maintaining chapels and learned how to identify potential problems early on. The emphasis is on preventive heritage care: by regularly checking and addressing minor issues promptly, greater damage can be avoided.
“"Chapels may seem like small heritage elements, but they are often strongly interwoven with the history and identity of a neighborhood or village. With this pilot project, we want to practically support local authorities in taking sustainable care of them. What we learn here in Nazareth-De Pinte can also form the basis for an offering with which we can support other municipalities in East Flanders in the future."
“"When you walk or cycle through our municipality, you encounter chapels everywhere. They belong to our landscape and our history. Thanks to this pilot project, we can maintain and preserve them better, so that future generations can continue to discover and appreciate these heritage elements."
In a next phase, private owners of chapels will also be involved in the project. They will be contacted personally and receive an explanation of the initiative, after which possibilities for sustainable preservation will be discussed together. The pilot project runs for two years. Afterwards, a public event will be held for residents to learn about the results of the process and the rich chapel heritage of Nazareth-De Pinte.
