Eschfeld – Lourdes Cave

The town of Eschfeld has a municipal partnership with Arzfeld and is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, near the border with Belgium.

The Lourdes Cave is located at the edge of the cemetery, next to the church dedicated to St. Lucia. The cave is made of large stones. The Lourdes Cave has a special shape because both Mary and visionary Bernadette Soubirous were placed in a niche next to each other. This is a unique representation. The cave is relatively small in size and was built around 1922.

The church was built in 1869/1870 and enjoys worldwide interest due to the complete decoration of the interior. More than 1000 biblical figures and scenes from the Old and New Testaments are depicted on the walls and ceilings.

The paintings were painted between 1906 and 1921 by Christoph März (1867-1931), who was active as a pastor in Eschfeld from 1899 until 1931. Christoph März is a highly developed and versatile man; he is not only a priest but also a composer, poet, conductor, organist, pianist, and above all painter and draftsman. The paintings in the church are highly special and therefore many visitors come to see the art exhibits. The priest/painter tragically lost his life when he fell from a ladder while working on a painting on the facade of the parish church. He subsequently died in the hospital.

Between the church and the Lourdes grotto are memorial monuments from 1961 of the fallen from Eschfeld during the First and Second World Wars. In the center stands a large memorial statue with the text “Maria Königin des Friedens bitte für sie. Den Gefallenen zur Ehre in Liebe und Dankbarkeit Pfarrei Eschfeld 1961” (Maria Königin des Friedens bitte für sie. Den Gefallenen zu Ehren in Liebe und Dankbarkeit, Pfarrei Eschfeld 1961).

Eschfeld is located in the “Naturpark Südeifel” and offers hiking and cycling opportunities.

Address: Kirchweg 8, 54619 Eschfeld.

~~~