Schönberg – Lourdes Cave

Schönberg is a part of the municipality of Sankt Vith, located in the east of Belgium in the German-speaking part of the country.

The Lourdes Cave dates from 1938 and was created by an idea of Franz Hubert Darcis (1892-1969), pastor in Schönberg (1937-1940). An attempt to create a cave in the rocks was extremely difficult. Subsequently, it was decided to involve the Flemish company Janssens from Westmeerbeek to make the cave a reality. Inscription of the cave in 1939.

In the upper shrine is a large Lourdes statue with the German inscription “Ich bin die Unbefleckte Empfängnis” (I am the Immaculate Conception). There are benches by the cave. A statue of visionary Bernadette Soubirous is missing. Candles are burning in the prayer niche of the cave. Next to the Lourdes cave are ex votos placed as a thank you to Our Lady. The Lourdes cave makes a very well-maintained impression.

Behind the cave, on the hill, a cross was erected in 1939. This was made possible after raising money from the local population. At the calvarieberg there is a spacious view over the town of Schönberg and its surroundings. At the bottom of the hill seven memorial stones of old footfalls (knees) have been placed.

Near the Lourdes grotto, photos can be seen of the fighting in the Second World War (1939-1945), when American artillery soldiers with cannons were at the Lourdes grotto in December 1944. During the Ardennes offensive, the Lourdes grotto was heavily damaged, but as a miracle, the statue of the Virgin Mary remains intact.

In 1983 new wayside shrines were placed and in 1994 the calvarie mountain was renewed.

Every year, many visitors flock to the Lourdes grotto and the Calvary on August 15th, when it is the feast day of Mary's Assumption.

The Lourdes Cave is located at hiking junction 15 “Ostbelgien”. Bicycle and hiking trails have been laid out. The beautiful cave is definitely worth visiting.

Address: Bleialferstrasse, next to number 9, 4780 Schönberg.

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