The best road cycling routes in Kerkener Bruch

Great stretch through flat landscape.

"...The parish of Kevelaer was established in 1472 by separating from the parish of Weeze. The small, east-facing, Gothic village church, built around 1450, remained unchanged until the 19th century. The reconstructed remains of this building are integrated into the current modern church interior and are used as a chapel. A larger, magnificently designed, neo-Gothic church with the approximate floor plan of the present main building was erected only after the construction of the Basilica of Our Lady and was consecrated in 1904. During the Second World War, the church was largely destroyed and rebuilt in 1952. In order to bring the church into compliance with the requirements of the Second Vatican Council, a comprehensive renovation, particularly of the chancel, took place in 1972 (i.e., for the 500th anniversary of the parish's founding). On January 13, 1982, the church burned down to its foundations; only the outer walls of the chapel, the baptistery, the sacristy, and the chancel survived." The chancel and the tower. The modern new building, constructed on the historical foundations, was designed by Dieter Georg Baumewerd. Renowned artists such as Theo Heiermann, Bert Gerresheim, and Joachim Klos created the interior furnishings. On January 17, 1987, the rebuilt church was consecrated by Bishop Reinhard Lettmann. In addition to its regular use as a parish church, St. Antonius, due to its convenient location at the end of the park-like open-air Stations of the Cross, is a popular choice for pilgrimage groups from afar as the site for their final prayers… https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Antonius_(Kevelaer)

"The current church building dates back to the early 15th century. The core has a late Gothic appearance, while the church tower is unmistakably Neo-Gothic. The church building originates from an early 15th-century church. The core has a late Gothic appearance, while the church tower is unmistakably Neo-Gothic. The parish church of St. Peter and Paul immediately captivates its visitors and is of historical significance for the entire Lower Rhine region. Interesting guided tours, filled with stories, reveal beautiful, sometimes hidden, details." https://www.niederrhein-tourismus.de/attraktion/st.-peter-und-paul-a7d292c910

In 1890, the tower was built in its current form; it is 63 meters high. The parish church is open to visitors before and after services. Tours can be booked through the local history society or the parish office.

Around 1300, he became truly fashionable as a patron saint in the Lower Rhine region. Farmers, in particular, hoped for his assistance, having seen ancient depictions of the saint with a pig on a rope, which is said to mean that he had a firm rein in evil and could control it. Farmers therefore called on Saint Anthony for assistance when their pigs became sick. In the Middle Ages and even later, there was often only one pig in the stable, and if it became ill, it was an economic disaster for the farmer. As late as the first third of the last century, there was a custom for farmers in a parish to select a piglet as St. Anthony's pig, which was then fattened up by all the villagers. When it was ready for slaughter, the poorest families received the meat free of charge. Source: https://www.antonius-kevelaer.de/unsere-kirchen-und-kapellen/unser-pfarrpatron/

Already on the way to the main portal, "Ferke(l) s Tön," the patron saint of the parish, greets churchgoers high above on a stele. Saint Anthony (the Great) is the father of monks. His feast day is January 17th. He was born in 251 or 252 in Kome in Middle Egypt. His parents were quite wealthy Christians. After their deaths, he gave away all his possessions and lived a very ascetic life in various places in the desert. He quickly became famous. Disciples gathered around him because they wanted to live like him; others sought his advice or his prayers for healing. Even Emperor Constantine and his sons exchanged letters with Anthony. He died at the age of 105. What is his significance? He gathered individual hermits into hermit communities and gave them guidelines for how they should live. In essence, he was the "inventor" of monasticism.

In beautiful cycling weather, we took a bike tour along the Castles & Palaces Route on the Lower Rhine. The journey is well worth it for a day trip, so we grabbed our bikes and enjoyed the sunny day in the beautiful landscape. We discovered many sights along the way. I'll show you which moated castles typical of the Lower Rhine are located along the bike route. Learn how we took the ferry, where we discovered the Lower Rhine gold, and where pilgrims have been making pilgrimages for centuries: https://www.netreisetagebuch.de/burgen-und-schloesser-route/

Chicken and fries restaurant, very family friendly.