Susteren has upheld the tradition of the 'Heiligdomsvaart' for 500 years.
Heiligdomsvaart is the dominant cultural activity in Susteren once every seven years. The origins of the Heiligdomsvaart in this region date back to the 15th century. Susteren has had the right to display relics since 1447, as evidenced by a papal letter from that year granting an indulgence and other rights for the Susteren relics display. The current form of the Heiligdomsvaart was revived in Susteren in 1888. The open-air play Storm of the Centuries is an exciting feature of the Susteren Heiligdomsvaart.
The game continues with impressions from the 10th century. After a time of looting and destruction, the abbey and church are rebuilt in all their glory. The abbess Amelberga, King Zwentibold and the church architect, monk Siginand appear on the scene. The inauguration party turns out to be the prelude to a royal fight against rebellious counts. Despite the tragedy of the historical story, the game ends with a hopeful look into the future. The author of “Weerlicht der Eeuwen” is Jacques Schreurs MSC. The performance is directed by Karel Fiddelers, who also rewrote the game. Assistant director is Jan van Wegberg. The open-air play is performed in a temporary theater that is being built next to the Amelberga Basilica. More than 150 actors from Susteren participate in the game.
Another highlight of the Heiligdomsvaart is the Historical Reliquary Procession. In addition to displaying relics of the local saints in the church, carrying the relics around in a religious procession is also a tradition during the Heiligdomsvaart. Since the 1950s, the Reliekenstoet has increasingly been placed in a historical and artistic context. In the front part of the procession, the history of Susteren is depicted and told by groups in historical and artistic clothing.