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Landkreis Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge

Wunsiedel

Ruins of the Pilgrimage Church of St. Catherine

Landkreis Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge

Wunsiedel

Ruins of the Pilgrimage Church of St. Catherine

Highlight • Religious Site

Ruins of the Pilgrimage Church of St. Catherine

Recommended by 71 hikers out of 72

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Naturpark Fichtelgebirge

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Location: Wunsiedel, Landkreis Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Best Hikes to Ruins of the Pilgrimage Church of St. Catherine

4.5

(13)

hikers

1. Kellergasse at Katharinenberg – Katharinenberg Wildlife Enclosure loop from Wunsiedel

8.50km

02:22

160m

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

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Moderate

4.9

(27)

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2. Little Haberstein – Kösseinehaus loop from Wunsiedel

16.5km

05:01

500m

510m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

5.0

(4)

hikers

3. Birnbaumgasse Orchard Meadow – Katharinenberg Birds of Prey Park loop from Wunsiedel

4.02km

01:08

80m

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

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Easy

Tips

Andrea und Huskys 🐺

August 22, 2022

In the summit area of the Katharinenberg are the ruins of the former pilgrimage church, the oldest building in Wunsiedel, which was dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The time of its origin is unknown, in a letter of indulgence sealed by 14 archbishops and bishops from October 1, 1364 it was first mentioned. The former mountain chapel contained a widely famous miraculous image of St. Catherine, which attracted many pilgrims.

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Nebel Hexe

December 26, 2022

The church ruins on the Katharinenberg
In the summit area are the ruins of the former pilgrimage church, the oldest building in Wunsiedel, which was dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The time of its origin is unknown, in a letter of indulgence sealed by 14 archbishops and bishops from October 1, 1364 it was first mentioned. The former mountain chapel contained a widely famous miraculous image of St. Catherine, which attracted many pilgrims. The letter granted 40 days of pardon from the church's penalties for sins to all who came to the chapel on certain specified days and supported it with donations. In 1384 an early mass was instituted, which was held by a Wunsiedel priest. The villages of Rügersgrün and Holzmühl had to make annual maintenance payments from their income. In 1444, a lay brother was named who, as a hermit, provided sacristan and guard services.
In the city archives of Wunsiedel there is a report written shortly after 1500 about miraculous healings by St. Catherine. People from the "Pehemer Land" (Bohemia) and from places "zwu Meil behind Nuremberg" made the pilgrimage to the oldest pilgrimage to the Katharinenberg. There were lame, blind, half-drowned and suffocated people, also war-disabled, who had "vowed themselves to the dear Junckfrau Sant Katharina ufm Berg". This martyr was considered the greatest saint among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The pilgrimage destination, which was sought after until the Reformation, was a marble statue of the martyr believed to work miracles.
Extension to the church:
From 1452 the construction of the western tower began. According to the Wartordnung of 1498, it also served as an observation and signaling station. After the introduction of the Reformation, the church fell into disrepair down to its foundations. The base of the well-preserved tower is rounded off by a carefully worked granite cornice, and on the upper floor there are four pointed-arched granite sound windows. The inscription on a granite plaque on the north side of the tower commemorates the victorious defense of Wunsiedel in 1430 against the Hussites and in 1462 against the Bohemians.
Source: Wikipedia

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Ralf 🚒🚲

April 25, 2022

The ruins of the former pilgrimage church are the oldest building in Wunsiedel.

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Harald Schramm (Schocker)

September 30, 2023

Beautiful church ruins, which also serve as a backdrop for the annual medieval festival “Collie Clamant”.

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Elevation 670 m

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Saturday 15 November

11°C

5°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

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Location: Wunsiedel, Landkreis Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge, Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Ruins of the Pilgrimage Church of St. Catherine

1. Kellergasse at Katharinenberg – Katharinenberg Wildlife Enclosure loop from Wunsiedel

2. Little Haberstein – Kösseinehaus loop from Wunsiedel

3. Birnbaumgasse Orchard Meadow – Katharinenberg Birds of Prey Park loop from Wunsiedel

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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