Schönbuchen Pilgrimage Chapel

Southwest of the village Dauersdorf, idyllically located in the valley of the Murnthales, is the pilgrimage chapel Schönbuchen. This was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and probably built in the 17th century. Inside the church are impressive votive paintings and reverse glass paintings. Then as now it is a popular place of pilgrimage.

According to legend, a potter attached a statue of Mary to the beech because he was spared the thunderstorm. The tree grew around the Madonna figure. It was taken to the church in Dautersdorf, but was back in its original place the next day. This was repeated a couple of times. The Schönbuchen Chapel was then built.
In 1921, the 600-year-old beech tree broke, destroying the chapel's roof and walls. The clay statue of Mary remained unharmed. The chapel was rebuilt, enlarged and beeches were planted.

Schönbuchen pilgrimage chapelThe exact date of the origin of this simple Marian shrine is not known, but it is likely to be in the 17th century. The rear part of the building also dates from this period. However, the number of visitors must have been high at all times, as the chapel has already been extended twice. In the state survey of January 24, 1840, it is referred to as the "Schönbuch Chapel" and has been mentioned as the property of a chapel foundation since documented times. The property was last expanded by purchasing it in 1891.The chapel houses a clay statue of the Madonna, a rough replica of the Mother of God from Altötting.According to legend, a potter sought shelter under the beech tree in the greatest distress of a storm. He attached the figure to this tree as a vow for salvation. As it grew, the tree completely enclosed the figure, so that the legend arose that it had grown out of it. The figure was brought to the church in Dautersdorf, and the next day it was back on the tree. After this event happened several times, it was decided to build a chapel right next to the beech tree and house the statue of the saint in it.
It was also strange that the beech tree, next to which the chapel was built, spread its branches over the entire building, even after the two extensions had been carried out.
On Saturday, July 26, 1921, the decrepit giant, whose age was estimated at more than 600 years, collapsed during a storm, completely denting the roof of the chapel and significantly damaging the interior. As if by a miracle, the statue of the saint was spared. The Marian shrine was then restored and is now flanked by two beech trees.
Until a few years ago, many valuable reverse glass paintings hung in the little church, which can now be viewed in the Schwarzachtaler Heimatmuseum in Neunburg vorm Wald. They depict many answered prayers and were created by the Ruf family of artists from Winklarn. They date back to 1874 and come from a larger catchment area.The patronage of the pilgrimage chapel is celebrated every year on August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, with large participation from the surrounding parishes, the local population and many visitors.Source: vg-neunburg.de