This monument was erected as a thank you for the fact that Vijlen was spared in the Second World War, as a thank you for the safe return of the villagers and to commemorate the fallen.
The Maria Monument on the edge of the Vijlenerbos was unveiled in 1945 by the then Bishop of Roermond Mr. Mgr. dr. G. Lemmens. There are also stations of the cross in the access road to the statue of Mary.
The idea to place a statue of Mary arose during a walk through the Vijlenerbos by the then chaplain Nobis and Mr Theo Vaessen in the early years of the Second World War.
At the place where the statue of Mary now stands, the plan was discussed extensively. Shortly afterwards (1941) chaplain Nobis was transferred to Simpelveld.
Because of resistance against the German occupiers he was taken into German military service in May 1942 and sent to the Eastern Front, where he was killed on January 29, 1944.
After the arrival of his successor Chaplain L. Hünen, a committee was set up with the aim of giving concrete form to the plans for placing a statue of Mary on the edge of the Vijlenerbos.
Peter Horbach, an architect from Heerlen, made the drawing and Mr. Wenders from Mechelen carried out the plan. The stones used to erect the monument come from the Vijlenerbos, and were spontaneously brought in by the people of the village by horse and cart.
The statue of Mary was made by Mr. Lieben from Brunssum. The land on which the Maria Monument was built was acquired by exchange and additional payment.
A beautiful place with a great view into the Geuldal near Wijlre. A place to relax.
This text has been automatically translated using an online translation service.
