Commemorative plaque - bronze relief - dedicated to Johann Schiebel, the developer of the gorge, by the Breitach Gorge Association
At the tunnel entrance to the Breitach Gorge 🌊🏞⛰, the deepest rocky gorge in Central Europe - Oberstdorf 🇩🇪 / Kleinwalzertal 🇦🇹

Translated by Google •

🦣 𝕸𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖚𝖙 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖐 🏒🥅👨🏼‍🚒🚒

August 21, 2025

It began 10,000 years ago
The formation of the Breitachklamm
The formation of the Breitachklamm began approximately 10,000 years ago, when the melting Breitach Glacier began to saw through the Schrattenkalk of the Engenkopf, and the water slowly ate its way into the rock.
In 1905, this miracle of creation, of unique beauty and grandeur, was opened to the public at the suggestion of Tiefenbach pastor Johannes Schiebel.
Today, the Breitachklamm near Oberstdorf captivates over 300,000 visitors annually.

Source: breitachklamm.com/wissenswert/geschichte.html

Translated by Google •

🦣 𝕸𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖚𝖙 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖐 🏒🥅👨🏼‍🚒🚒

August 21, 2025

Pastor Johannes Baptist Schiebel
A popular pastor and developer of the Breitachklamm gorge, he lived in Reichenbach from 1936 to 1963.
Johannes Baptist Schiebel was born on April 29, 1871, the son of Josef and Rosa Schiebel, farmers, in the community of Petersthal in the Kempten district. After attending elementary school in Petersthal and high school in Dillingen, he studied theology there. He was ordained a priest on July 25, 1895, and celebrated his first Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist in his home parish. In the same year, he became chaplain in Buchenberg near Kempten and, on August 1, 1896, chaplain in Schöllang.
From February 1898, Johannes Baptist Schiebel served as a benefice in Oberstdorf, Loretto. On July 16, 1901, he came to Tiefenbach as pastor. As a great nature lover, he soon became aware of the unique natural wonder of the Breitachklamm and strove to make it accessible to the public. After painstaking work, he was able to present the completed plans to the public and find people willing to provide the necessary funds for the road construction.
On July 25, 1904, the first blasting operations began, and the passage was completed on May 6, 1905. The opening ceremony took place on June 4, 1905. The pastor's wish thus came to fruition.
On November 8, 1908, Schiebel moved to Vorderburg as pastor, where he immediately continued his energetic work. At the age of 51, he transferred to his beloved mountains in Schöllang on February 28, 1922, until his retirement. He founded a tourist association, initiated the introduction of bus service between Oberstdorf and Sonthofen, commissioned the restoration of the church by the painter Alois Haugg from Ottobeuren, and served as chairman of the supervisory board of the Raiffeisen Association from 1923 onwards.
For his tireless work for the blessing and well-being of the people and the places where he worked, he was awarded honorary citizenship by the communities of Tiefenbach, Vorderburg, and Schöllang.
Pastor Johann Bapt. Schiebel spent his retirement in Reichenbach from 1936 onwards. He celebrated Holy Mass daily and, in 1945, his Golden Jubilee as a priest in the Chapel of St. James. A statue of Our Lady of Fatima has stood on the northern side altar, the Marienaltar, since 1947. Pastor Schiebel established the still popular devotion in honor of Our Lady of Fatima at that time.
.........

Source: reichenbach-oberstdorf.de/historisches/johannes-bapt-schiebel.html

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Elevation 880 m

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Wednesday 5 November

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Location: Oberstdorf, Oberallgäu, Allgäu, Swabia, Bavaria, Germany

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