Mary's circular trail
Pilgrim Trail
Make a pilgrimage to Mary's Spring and Mary's Grotto and relax your mind and soul from the stress and strains of daily life.
- Type Pilgrim Trail
- Difficulty medium
- Duration 3:30 h
- Distance 10,5 km
- Ascent 174 m
- Descent 174 m
- Lowest point 267 m
- Highest point 427 m
Description
Mary's Spring and Mary's Grotto are well known far beyond the borders of Sankt Wendel County and enjoy a steady stream of visitors. Tranquil places that are well worth a visit!
The Mary's circular trail starts at the Parish Church of "Maria Himmelfahrt" in Marpingen. From there, the route continues to the world-famous and inspirational Härtelwald Marian Worship Site. Marian worship in Marpingen can be traced back to the 15th century. In July 1876, it reached a first fervent peak throughout Europe, when the Mother of God allegedly appeared to three eight-year-old girls from Marpingen in the Härtelwald forest. In the years that followed, many cases of healing were reported and Marpingen soon became known as the "German Lourdes". Since then, thousands of pilgrims have visited the Härtelwald Marian Worship Site at the place of the "apparitions" every year. The Mary's circular trail continues to Rheinstrasse, where the "Peace Cross" and "St. John's Chapel" invite the pilgrims to reflect and think. The "Peace Cross" was erected in 1995 by the residents of Rheinstrasse in thanks for 50 years of peace in Germany. The pilgrims continue along this former Roman road to the crossroads between Alsweiler and Winterbach, where the Mary's circular trail rejoins the Wendelinus pilgrimage trail. Just a few minutes' walk from Römerstrasse is the Hiwwelhaus farmhouse, the oldest farmhouse in south-west Germany to have been preserved in its original state. Before the pilgrims return to the starting point at the Parish Church of "Maria Himmelfahrt", they pass the Fountain of Mary ("Maieborn"), one of the oldest places of Marian worship in Marpingen.
Since the re-opening of Tholey Abbey in October 2020, 37 newly designed stained-glass windows can be admired there. Three of the stained-glass windows were designed by world-famous German painter Gerhard Richter.
Caution:
Entering forests and walking on hiking trails is always at your own risk.
Depending on the season and the weather conditions, you may need to be more sure-footed on certain sections of the trail. It is, therefore, advisable to wear clothing appropriate to the season and the weather conditions and hiking boots with an appropriate tread.
The climb on steep slopes requires sure-footedness and a good level of fitness.
