Werner Chapel Ruins

Between St. Peter's Church and the castle Stahleck stands as a cultural monument of Rhineland High Gothic, namely the ruins of the former Wernerkapelle. The chapel was dedicated to the boy and folk saint Werner. A legend says that Werner should have fallen victim to a Jewish ritual murder.

The ruins of a high Gothic central building in the vineyards above St. Peter's used to be a popular pilgrimage chapel. It was built shortly after 1287. The reason for its construction was the murder of a boy named Werner, whose body was found during Holy Week in 1287. His death was blamed, without any evidence, on the Jewish community of Oberwesel. The result was an unbridled persecution of Jews, in which over 40 people died. Soon after the pogrom, a chapel was built in Werner's honor. At about the same time, pilgrimages began to the Kunibert Chapel, where the boy had been buried. In 1293, an altar was consecrated in the southern arm of the Werner Chapel, and in 1337 the east choir was consecrated. However, the chapel was not completed until after 1426 at the instigation of theology professor and humanist Dr. Winand von Steeg (pastor in Bacharach from 1421 to 1438). In 1689, the chapel was badly damaged when Stahleck Castle was blown up and debris fell on it. In 1752, the north arm with a figure portal had to be demolished due to the risk of landslides, and in 1787 all roofs and vaults were removed. Since 1980, safety measures have been carried out under the direction of cathedral master builder Wolff from Cologne. Since 1981, the Wernerkapelle building association has also been working to save and restore the Wernerkapelle.
Source:
regionalgeschichte.net/mittelrhein/bacharach/kulturdenkmaeler/werner-kapelle.html

Beautiful to look at. There are only a few foundations left with the Gothik typical pointed arches. But this place conveys a great atmosphere. At the same time it is a great photo opportunity. The former chapel can be reached via several stairs. It lies on a path between St. Peter's Church and the castle Stahleck. These three sights should not be missed during a visit to Bacharach.