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Forbach-Bolchen
Heiningen Bei Busendorf

Das Bildchen Memorial and Crosses

Das Bildchen Memorial and Crosses

Recommended by 26 hikers out of 28

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    1. View of the Border Window – Leidingen Border Street loop from Leidingen

    13.3km

    03:40

    220m

    220m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Intermediate

    Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Tips

    September 3, 2021

    The picture

    This is the name given to the ensemble depicted in the 1954 photo. It was located in the Ihner Forest. But nothing of it has existed since 1991; time has taken its toll. Nevertheless, its history stretches back 250 years. The two crosses and the prayer shrine have long drawn people to the forest. Flowers and objects were placed there. Mothers came from the surrounding villages to pray and ask for the healing of their sick children. Some even made pilgrimages there on their knees or barefoot so that their prayers would be heard. Source: Text on the information board

    Legend says:

    Three children were allegedly killed there by traveling people. They were tortured to death with pine needles. This legend persisted until the 1960s, and children were frightened by being told they were being taken to the man with the needles. Or, a young girl ran away from home and got lost in the forest. Dead tired, she lay down and was eaten alive by ants. Source: Text on the information board

    Translated by Google •

      September 3, 2021

      The truth is different:

      The two crosses probably represent children; the small one dates back to 1765, the other to around 1850. Two families in great need are affected. Since 1982, several people have researched the situation, and thanks to their insights, we can now turn back the hands of time. The story would be too long to recount in passing. If you'd like to learn more, you can read much of it at home on the website: leidingen-saarland.de/historie/bildchen. Over the 250 years, there have always been people who have maintained this place. Like this man who passed by on his way to work and planted a rose bush one day. The last restoration took place in 1970, when the prayer shrine was painted blue and given a new roof. In 2014, the right cross was restored by the municipality and placed in this spot, which was formerly a garden: What a beautiful gesture to preserve the memory! A restoration to its original condition is planned. The most difficult task will be to find or recreate the second, very decorative cross. Source: Text on the information board

      Translated by Google •

        August 3, 2025

        The crosses stand on the path up to the church.

        Translated by Google •

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          Details

          Informations

          Elevation 310 m

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          Tuesday 21 October

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          Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

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          Location: Heiningen Bei Busendorf, Forbach-Bolchen, Great East, France

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