Stage of the Way of St. James from the Freisen-Oberkirchen Valley Bridge to St. Wendel
This stage leads from the valley bridge in Freisen-Oberkirchen via St. Wendel-Hoof, past Wendelinushof, the mission house and the Wendelinus Chapel, to the Wendelinus Basilica in St. Wendel. The stage begins at the most impressive structure in the municipality of Freisen, the valley bridge in Oberkirchen. Its 12 arches on 11 piers extend over 275 m and span the Oster valley at a height of 30 m, right at the entrance to Oberkirchen. The valley bridge is one of the largest stone bridges in southwest Germany. It is believed that the Catholic Church of St. Katharina in Oberkirchen dates from the 14th or 15th century. The church presents itself in all its splendor as the Christian and cultural center of Oberkirchen. The Weiselberg nature reserve is rich in natural beauty and impressive treasures. Weiselberg is famous for the colorful mineral formations of the agates found there. Some of these finds are on display in the Mineralogical Museum in Oberkirchen and in the Mineral Museum in Freisen. Passing Wendelinushof with animal husbandry, workshops for people with disabilities, a nursery, a restaurant, and a market for regional products. Along the cemetery of the fathers and the Lourdes Grotto, the route continues past the mission house. Father Arnold Janssen founded the Society of the Divine Word missionaries in St. Wendel in 1898. The complex includes the ethnological museum and the mission bookstore, Arnold Janssen Gymnasium, and the Mission House Church. St. Wendel was first mentioned in 496 AD as Basonvillaris. In the 6th century, Saint Wendelin lived here; he belonged to an Irish-Scottish monastic movement. According to legend, as a king's son he was on his way to Rome to receive the royal crown, but settled in St. Wendel as a hermit. Exactly where he thrust his staff into the ground during a great drought now stands the Wendelinus Chapel, dedicated to him, with a fountain complex. We pass this on the way down into the town. The name "Sankt Wendalino" was first mentioned in the 14th century in a document by Baldwin of Luxembourg, the Archbishop of Trier, in the context of the early medieval veneration of Wendelin. He wanted to develop the town into an economic and cultural center, and so St. Wendel was granted market and town rights in 1332. Construction soon began on the Wendelinus Basilica, which was not completed until 1460 in the late Gothic style. With its tall spire of the west tower, it is a landmark visible from afar and is considered one of the most beautiful hall churches in Germany. The remains of Saint Wendelin are still located today in the high tomb at the altar. On the side of the tomb, an image of James with the shell is shown. As an important pilgrimage church, it attracts numerous pilgrims, especially for the annual Pentecost pilgrimages and during Wendelinus Week.
- Length
- 15.3 km
- Walking time
- approx. 4:45 h
- Ascent
- 302 m
- Descent
- 396 m
Walking time as stated by the operator.
Elevation profile calculated by Fairvisit from satellite elevation data. Ascent and descent usually differ by up to about 10 %, more on steep terrain.
Start
Talbrücke Oberkirchen
Nearby
Along the way
Finish
Wendelinusbasilika, Am Fruchtmarkt, 66606 St. Wendel
Nearby