Gillenfeld – Lourdes Cave

Gillenfeld belongs to the municipal association with Daun and is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The place and the region around Gillenfeld are visited by tourists due to its location in the heart of the “Vulkanic Eifel” and the proximity to the deep lake “Pulvermaar”.

The Lourdes Cave is located just below the church of St. Andreas. The cave was built between 1934 and 1936, following an idea by Emmerich Wilhelm Keller (1882-1951), pastor of Gillenfeld (1921-1936). He is a brave man in dangerous times. He inspires young people with the Catholic faith and tells them that there is more to life than a political system. He opposes National Socialism in a Catholic way. For this, he was arrested and interrogated several times in the 1930s of the 20th century.

Pastor Keller is enthusiastic about realizing the Lourdes grotto, after obtaining permission from the local government for its construction. The grotto is made of lava stones from the nearby quarry in Strohn.

The Lourdes Grotto has several niches. A large statue of Mary stands in the upper part and can be illuminated. In the lower part there is a small altar with a stone inscribed with the text “Sei gegrüsst O Koningin” (Be greeted O Queen). Chairs have been placed near the grotto. A statue of Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary from Lourdes, is missing. The Lourdes Grotto welcomes visitors daily. It is an ideal place of prayer near the church of St. Andres. The grotto makes a well-maintained impression and receives many visitors.

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The church of St. Andreas, located a few meters from the Lourdes grotto, was built in 1898/1899 and the 14th-century west tower of the previous church has been preserved. Special images of Mary can be seen in the church, including a triptych and a pieta.

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From Gillenfeld it is a 42 km journey east to reach the wine village of Klotten on the Moselle. In the center, at Kirchstrasse 13, 56818 Klotten, there is a Marian chapel from about 1900, which belonged to a number of holy houses (“Marien-Heiligenhäuschen”). Three kilometers further lies the tourist town of Cochem.

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There are many cycling and hiking opportunities in and around Gillenfeld.

Address: Am Kirchberg 4, 54558 Gillenfeld.

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