Saint Catherine of Siena
Hochstrasse
4711 Astenet (Lontzen)
Chapel | 1970 | Contemporary | Catholic Church
Map
Opening hours
01 April - 31 October
Mon 9.00 - 18.00
Tue 9.00 - 18.00
Wed 9.00 - 18.00
Thu 9.00 - 18.00
Fri 9.00 - 18.00
Sat 9.00 - 18.00
Sun 9.00 - 18.00
01 November - 31 March
Mon 9.00 - 16.00
Tue 9.00 - 16.00
Wed 9.00 - 16.00
Thu 9.00 - 16.00
Fri 9.00 - 16.00
Sat 9.00 - 16.00
Sun 9.00 - 16.00
The sanctuary is open 24 hours a day.
Description
The building deviates from the traditional design of a closed building but is open to the outside, inspired by the campo of Siena. It is a polygonal building with a crypt, an inward sloping roof with an open atrium in the middle and a small fountain dedicated to the saint in the centre. A relic of the saint was donated by the archbishop of Siena.
The buildings were designed in close collaboration between the architect Emile-José Fettweiss and the artists André Blank and Maria Hasemeier-Eulenbruch, with the International Catherine of Siena Association and its initiator Jean Wintgens in charge of the project.
The construction was financed by donations from the faithful. The designers also wanted to make it a house of encounter and reconciliation, of dialogue, prayer and peace in this region of eastern Belgium, known as the three borders, close to Germany and the Netherlands. The site is in a pleasant, rural environment.
Because of the exceptional synergy between architecture, art and landscape, the site was listed in January 2025.
Photos
Remarkable elements
Sanctuary
The sanctuary reflects a harmonious dialogue between landscape, architecture, and artistic creation. It exemplifies the symbiosis between natural surroundings, functional high quality design, and artistic elements. Developed in two phases, the architectural concept is highly convincing. It was created by architect E.J. Fettweiss in close collaboration with artist A. Blank.
Statue of Saint Catherine
Devotion to Saint Catherine of Siena in the Euregio is growing significantly thanks to this place.
Ex-votos
Numerous ex-votos hang on the walls of the sanctuary.
Chapel
The small chapel is reminiscent of architect Fettweiss' earlier designs (a combination of brick and concrete) and heralds his later creations. The community house fits in here, demonstrating the architect's creativity in creating links between landscape and meeting place.
Crypt
Beneath the chapel, a crypt invites contemplation.
Forecourt and outdoor spaces
The site consists of several buildings built in two phases. A small street chapel was completed in 1968, followed by a community house with chapel, association rooms and accommodation built from 1979 to 1985. Set on a rise between Walhorn and Hergenrath, the complex integrates a pond and trees. A small path and a piazza inspired by Siena’s main square link the two parts harmoniously.
