Valentinus Chapel (Wiesbach)
The Valentinus Chapel in the vernacular Wallenborn Chapel is a chapel near the road between Humes and Wiesbach . It is located in the Valentinusborn recreation area, also called Wallenborn.
history
Roman time
Centuries before it was built, the place was already an attraction because of the healing powers attributed to the spring water for humans and cattle. The earliest evidence of settlement, however, is of Roman origin. During the excavations carried out in 1955, bricks were found that suggest a villa rustica with a hypocaust system . A replica of a Roman gravestone from the second century AD found on the Wiesbacher Bann in 1837 stands next to the chapel today.
Construction of the chapel
The first written mention of a chapel in the Wiesbacher Bannbuch dates back to 1772. The "Capellplatz" is said to have served as a base for the Tholey Monastery for centuries . The razing of the chapel as a result of the French Revolution is also mentioned. The current chapel was built in 1796 at the source of the same name. In the course of secularization , the chapel went into private ownership. Decades later, the Wiesbach community acquired the chapel.
Architecture and decoration
The simple rectangular building with a conical choir shows elements of the Romanesque style. The ox eyes on the front were a stylistic element of the time, the window behind the altar has sacred meaning. The triangular shape symbolizes the trinity . A baroque altar from the late 18th century is supported by four columns. In the center is a carved Wendalinus figure . Two chapel windows show six motifs from the life of the brother Konrad von Parzham .
A panel showing the cattle patrons Wendalinus, Valentinus and Brigitta, who were revered in the region, was stolen in 1985. Like the picture, the iron crowns that the chapel-goers put on during supplications were stolen. Couples are said to have visited the chapel until the twenties to promise marriage there.
environment
A hermitage belonged to the chapel and existed on the back of the chapel until 1840. In the following decades the hermitage fell into disrepair until it was completely demolished in 1882. The chapel has been a listed building since 1934 . A Way of the Cross has been leading to the chapel since 1957, commemorating the missing and fallen of the Second World War. The names of the soldiers are chiselled across the stations.
Recreation area
By damming the spring into a pond, setting up a barbecue area and opening a restaurant, the location became a local recreation area “Wallenborn” and thus also serves profane use.
Web links
Coordinates: 49 ° 22 ′ 44.4 " N , 6 ° 59 ′ 34.8" E