History
Two legends form the basis for the origin of the pilgrimage site on the Hörnleberg.
The first legend tells of a blind man. He prays and believes that if a chapel is built on the mountain, he will be able to see again. He goes to the mountain and sees it. His prayer has been answered, and the next day building materials lie on the summit of the mountain. Subsequently, a chapel is built there.
The story of the second legend is about a man who suffers a great deal of pain. At the daily sunrise, he sees Mary and Child on multiple occasions. He promises to build a chapel if the pain disappears. The man becomes pain-free, and the chapel is built on the summit of the Hörnleberg.
In 1469, there is mention of a chapel on the Hörnleberg, and from that year onwards, it became a place of pilgrimage, with legends acting as an incentive for people to visit.
In 1826, lightning struck the chapel, causing it to burn down. Following permission granted in 1851, the chapel was rebuilt. This occurred in stages between 1858 and 1890. In 1883, the miraculous image was placed in the chapel, and a pilgrim house was built nearby.
The Way of the Cross was made between 1891 and 1893. It was restored by Albert Schonhardt (1927-2023) in 1987.
In 1960, a Lourdes grotto was constructed and it stands approximately 100 metres from the chapel. The statues of Mary and Bernadette Soubirous have been vandalised and restored several times.
In 1973, the sacred image was stolen. A painting was made, on which the likeness was depicted. Subsequently, a copy of the sacred image was made and consecrated in 1982.
Between 1979 and 1982, the chapel was renovated.
Pilgrimage site
The shrine is located in the middle of the Black Forest, on the Hörnleberg, and is called “Marienheiligtum Unserer Lieben Frau auf dem Hörnleberg”. The mountain is over 900 metres high. From this height, there is a beautiful view of the Elztal.
The pilgrimage chapel is named “Wallfahrtskapelle Unserer Lieben Frau vom Hörnleberg”. The chapel is painted white and has many frescoes on the ceiling.
The statue of grace is in the high altar. It shows Mary, who is holding a sceptre and has her Child in her arms. Jesus has an apple in his hand. Mary is seen here as the queen of heaven.
To the left and right of the image of Mary stand her parents, namely Anne and Joachim. Anne is holding a book, which refers to her role as her daughter's educator. Joachim is depicted with two doves in a basket. These birds symbolise the sacrificial offerings in the temple.
The Stations of the Cross are by sculptor Albert Schonhardt (1927-2023) and one station indicates that Jesus entrusts his Mother to John.
In the chapel stands a Pietà from 1884, made by Franz Joseph Simmler (1846-1928).
Against the chapel wall stands a large mission cross.
The pilgrimage season begins in May and ends at the end of October.
The pilgrimage chapel has limited opening hours, and particularly at the weekend the chapel is accessible for a few hours. Being faced with a closed door should be no surprise.
ACCESSIBILITY
Near 79261 Gutach im Breisgau lies the Hörnleberg. The villages of Oberwinden, Niederwinden and Bleibach are located close to the B294 road. Leave the road at Bleibach. Then drive out of Dorfstrasse, followed by Hörnlebergstrasse and continue driving upwards via Hörnlebergweg to the Hörnleberg.
Another route goes via Oberwinden and from the old Town Hall it is another 7 kilometres to the top of the mountain.
Parish Centre Address: 79297 Winden im Elztal, Hörnleberg.
More information can be found at www.hoernleberg.de.
Experience
In the Black Forest, on a mountain, lies the church to visit. To reach the summit of the Hörnleberg, you must follow a rising, winding road of about 7 kilometres. For the first four kilometres, the route is easily passable, as the tarmac is in reasonable condition. After that, the road turns into a wide, stony path. The closer you get to the pilgrimage chapel, the less suitable the road becomes for a car. I cover the final part on foot and take in the Stations of the Cross.
When I am almost at the top, there is a scene from Lourdes on the left side of the road. Here, too, Mary and Bernadette are close together, and it is them greeting. Going up a little further, I will then reach the small pilgrimage site.
The dense clouds envelop the pilgrimage chapel, which is situated at over 900 metres altitude, as the weather is rainy on this mountain. In front of the chapel stands a memorial to the Holy Year 2000 and by it I have a view of a depth and many dark clouds.
Next, I am going to the church. Unfortunately, the door is closed and that is bad luck. I am aware of limited opening hours, but today there was supposed to be an activity here; it became clear to me when I visited websites. The small building for visiting pilgrims to have something to drink is also closed. After looking around a bit, I decide to go for a walk, because in the wooded area that is a godsend.
Environment
There are many hiking and cycling opportunities of varying lengths on and in the vicinity of the Hörnleberg.
From Freiburg im Breisgau, it is 100 km south to reach the Hörnleberg.
Departing from the pilgrimage site in Todtmoos to head to the Hörnleberg involves covering 30 km in a southerly direction.
From Basel in Switzerland, it's a 35 km drive east to reach the pilgrimage site on the Hörnleberg.
Travelling from the pilgrimage site in Triberg to the one on the Hörnleberg means travelling 105 km south.
Posted: 25 June 2024
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