Celles, one of The Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia

MTFA_Celles_01072021_0002 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

MTFA_Celles_01072021_0004 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

MTFA_Celles_01072021_0011 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

MTFA_CELLES_01092020_002 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

MTFA_CELLES_01092020_014 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

MTFA_CELLES_01092020_018 — © MTFA-Denis Closon 2023

The origins of Celles go back to the IInd Century when its inhabitants adored the Roman god Neptune. It’s only a small step from Celles to cella… As a matter of fact, the toponym ‘Celles’ stems from the Latin ‘cella’, which can mean cell or even room. But what is the link between the village of Celles and a room? It all started in the 8th century with the arrival of Saint Hadelin (617-690), who was a native of Guyenne in French Aquitaine. After a long and eventful journey in company of Saint Remacle , the founder of the Stavelot Abbey, Saint Hadelin decided to flee civilization and sought refuge in a cave in the middle of the woods. He was rapidly joined by other monks who were attracted by his reputation of saintliness. The rooms, cella, that his fellow recluse built, gave their name to the village. Short history of the village… The origins of Celles go back to the 2nd century when the villagers adored a Roman god : Neptune. But it is only in the 7th century that Christianity will gain a firm footing in the area when the region is evangelised by…our friend Saint Hadelin, who even founded a monastery in the village! After his death in 690, his companions placed his mortal remains in a reliquary (a kind of trunk), which the monks then walled into what is currently the church’s western crypt. Several centuries later, sick and tired of being harassed by the Lords of Celles, the monks can see no other option but to leave the village. They find refuge in Visé, near Liège, and take the saint’s relics away with them. Even nowadays, the villagers are deeply attached to their Patron Saint, and celebrate him every year with a festival that is held on the first weekend of February.

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