Pilgrimage Church of Maria von der Tann
The pilgrimage church Maria von der Tann in Rütschenhausen is today a branch church of the parish Greßthal . Its origins lie in the dark of history. Special attention is given to the historically highly interesting building because of the miraculous image that is attributed to Tilman Riemenschneider's early environment . The first pilgrimages from the Franconian region came here as early as the 14th century. Today the former pilgrimage church celebrates its patronage on the feast of the birth of Mary (September 8th).
History of the pilgrimage
The written sources that comment on the pilgrimage to Maria von der Tann are sparse. According to old reports, smaller pilgrimages began in the 13th century for a "picture of Mary in the fir trees". Here, however, it is unclear whether it was an apparition of the Blessed Mother in the fir thicket or an image of grace that had its place in a green fir forest. Devout pilgrims came here from large parts of the Franconian country during this time. It was a time of Christian reorientation. Numerous pilgrimage sites were formed in the 13th century in response to the "Franconian piety of Mary". In the middle of the 15th century, this pilgrimage was largely forgotten. After taking office in 1443, pastor Eberhard von Grumbach revitalized the venerable sanctuary. The localities of his territory ( Brebersdorf , Greßthal , Kaisten , Schwemmelsbach and Wasserlosen ) now gathered for worship at all Marian festivals . At times, the villages of Burghausen and Wülfershausen also moved here on these days.
The prince-bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn and the pastor Erhard von Lichtenstein were informed in 1587 that the "Christian believers in Reichtal" had all succumbed to the Lutheran doctrine. After several counter-Reformation measures, the pilgrimage church now gained a completely new meaning. The parish vicar Andreas Bastmann, who resided in Greßthal, was encouraged by the prince-bishop to preach Catholic doctrine again from here and to recatholize the surrounding areas. This was done with success. On Martini Day 1614, Prince-Bishop Echter and Senior Pastor of Lichtenstein celebrated the successful Counter-Reformation in the Reichtal with the consecration of the altar in the parish church in Greßthal .
The last pilgrimages to Maria von der Tann came to an end with the secularization . In the following period, religious life was largely idle and when the parish of Greßthal was reorganized in 1808, the Marienkapelle was unfortunately no longer considered. Since then it has had the status of a branch church.
Building history
The chapel's oldest wall pieces go back to the middle of the 13th century. During the time mentioned, the residents of what was then a very small clustered village built their first church in this place. According to an old legend, a rich man gave various building materials and money to build the chapel. When the stones were all at the construction site, however, the construction could not start because the next day all the stones were no longer in place. A farmer then found them elsewhere in the village. With a lot of effort the stones were brought back. But the next morning they were back in the other place. It went on for three days. Then one fasted the decision that it was probably the wish of Our Lady to build the chapel there. It was believed that only heavenly multitudes would be able to clear away the stones overnight. It was less legendary during the term of office of the above-mentioned pastor Eberhard von Grumbach. He made every effort to make his territory as self-sufficient as possible. In addition to the economic facilities (such as flour mills), this also included a place of pilgrimage. A comprehensive renovation of the chapel was therefore carried out between 1483 and 1485. In return to old traditions, he revived the pilgrimage to Maria von der Tann. Parts of today's tower can go back to this time. Grumbach had today's miraculous image made in Würzburg. Probably in the immediate vicinity of the then still young Tilman Riemenschneider .
The construction phase began in 1593 and has shaped the church the most to this day. The typical Echterturm was built. The nave is raised and lengthened. In 1598 the construction work was completed. Late Gothic fish bubbles now adorned the skylights of the chapel. The stone pulpit (1593) in the interior still gives evidence of that time. The completion of the renovation was celebrated in 1609 after a Gerolzhöfer painter redesigned the altars.
Under parish vicar Valentin Klee, who apparently showed great interest in the pilgrimage, the interior was redesigned in 1659. The chapel was extended to the west in 1712. However, pastor Ignaz Theobald Hartmann von Reinach opposed the pilgrimage cult to Maria von der Tann with his new service order. Only on September 8th, the feast of the birth of Mary, did he tolerate a pilgrimage to Rütschenhausen. His nephew and successor in the office of senior pastor Wilhelm Jakob von Reinach, on the other hand, promoted the pilgrimage again.
The liturgical realignment of the sanctuary was completed with the consecration of the altar by Auxiliary Bishop Alfons Kempf in 1987. Since 1996 a new organ has been providing a musically worthy liturgy with its sounds.
Text on the chalkboard above the front door of the church
Liebs francs country you're blessed
Julius enter Fridensfürst you
The you from Irthum the ban
Des had faith in fashion t
With beautiful churches you too zirt
As he this Restaurirt dan
The treflich Prince has done much
Wan mans wants only right erkenen
1615
Julius real coat of arms
The three metal rings on the coat of arms come from the coat of arms of the noble family of the Echter family . The red and white quartered flag on the lance pole corresponds to the Würzburg coat of arms .
Web links
- Pilgrimage church Maria von der Tann on the Rütschenhausen website
Coordinates: 50 ° 3 ′ 38.5 ″ N , 10 ° 3 ′ 20.6 ″ E