Het Luihuis - Bergeijk

Het Luihuis is a unique bell frame, made from an oak wooden construction, protected by a brick wall and equipped with a slate roof. It is one of the last bell frames in Brabant.

The bell frame was part of the tower of the Catholic Sint Petrus’ Bandenkerk. In 1648 the Catholics had to hand over the church to the Protestants for 150 years. Two years later the church tower collapsed and was not rebuilt. In 1669 Het Luihuis was built in memory of the church tower.

Het Luihuis plays a role in the legend of the Dancing Cats in Bergeijk. Local witches disguised themselves as black cats that danced at night in the forest around the burial mound. They lured every man to dance along, often with a fatal outcome. That is why all men avoided this place in the forest. Except Dorus, the miller. He had to grind the flour at night, but was always bothered by the bewitched cats.

One morning Dorus finds the chopped off finger of his missing wife. He forgets his fear and runs into the woods, to the Kattenberg. Here he had to find her. He sees the 41 black cats dancing in a circle, gathers all his courage and dances with the cats all night long. And then he suddenly feels a cat that is missing a knuckle.

When the sun comes up, the cats disappear without a trace. How was he supposed to find his wife now? He calls in the help of the priest. He knew that witches would come to the sound of church bells. He rings the church bells of Het Luihuis.

The sky turns black and yes, there are all 41 witches on their broomsticks.

Photo: ©Visit Brabant