Follow up to my comment on Marpingen on the Saarland. I visited the shrine on Thursday 24th May. It was a glorious sunny day in Mary's month. The woodland location is idyllic, with a stream burbling beside the site. And there were..... Er, three visitors. Me and two ladies.
I had seen one young woman heading downhill with her satnav while…
Follow up to my comment on Marpingen on the Saarland. I visited the shrine on Thursday 24th May. It was a glorious sunny day in Mary's month. The woodland location is idyllic, with a stream burbling beside the site. And there were..... Er, three visitors. Me and two ladies.
I had seen one young woman heading downhill with her satnav while I was heading uphill with my satnav, so I guess she was a pilgrim.
The information boards brazenly claim that this is the "German Lourdes", despite the Church's clear disapproval. The chapel, which might seat 50 people if they are friendly, is lovely. And there is an outside wall full of devotion plaques giving thanks for favours received.
I would recommend a visit for the historically curious. The scenery is wonderful. The Saarland and surrounding bits of Europe are enthralling. I would also recommend a cab from St Wendel railway station if you don't have a car and don't like uphill walking after taking the not very frequent R12 bus from St Wendel. I caught the even less frequent T1 bus directly from the car park back to St Wendel.
Historic St Wendel itself is well worth a visit. And you can get there directly from the regional rail platforms at the enormous Frankfurt Airport, which serves most of the planet.
Follow up to my comment on Marpingen on the Saarland. I visited the shrine on Thursday 24th May. It was a glorious sunny day in Mary's month. The woodland location is idyllic, with a stream burbling beside the site. And there were..... Er, three visitors. Me and two ladies.
I had seen one young woman heading downhill with her satnav while I was heading uphill with my satnav, so I guess she was a pilgrim.
The information boards brazenly claim that this is the "German Lourdes", despite the Church's clear disapproval. The chapel, which might seat 50 people if they are friendly, is lovely. And there is an outside wall full of devotion plaques giving thanks for favours received.
I would recommend a visit for the historically curious. The scenery is wonderful. The Saarland and surrounding bits of Europe are enthralling. I would also recommend a cab from St Wendel railway station if you don't have a car and don't like uphill walking after taking the not very frequent R12 bus from St Wendel. I caught the even less frequent T1 bus directly from the car park back to St Wendel.
Historic St Wendel itself is well worth a visit. And you can get there directly from the regional rail platforms at the enormous Frankfurt Airport, which serves most of the planet.