Vierzehnheiligen (Fourteen Saints’ Basilica)

In the heart of the Upper Main valley, between Bad Staffelstein and Lichtenfels, you find Vierzehnheiligen, one of the most impressive churches in Europe. It was designed by the famous architect Balthasar Neumann and built from 1743 to 1772. Today it is one of the stations on the pilgrimage de Compostela.
Over half a million visitors a year from all over the world come to admire this masterpiece of architecture with its unique combination of Rococo architecture in the interior and Baroque architecture on the outside.

The Basilica

According to the legend, the fourteen saints appeared to a shepherd called Hermann Leicht. They expressed the wish to have a cathedral built at exactly this place. When a dying maidservant that had prayed to the fourteen saints was healed in a miraculous way, many people came to the location of shepherd Hermann’s vision, hoping for the help of the saints.
As a result of this influx of visitors, Langheim’s abbot and the Archbishop of Bamberg ordered Balthasar Neumann to make architectural plans for a pilgrimage basilica.
Today you can still see the spot, where the saints first appeared. It is marked by an oval on the ceiling. It is located behind the imposing, round “Gnadenaltar” (altar of grace).
This “Gnadenaltar”, the core of the basilica, is dedicated to the 14 saints. It shows fourteen sculptures, one of each saint.
On entering by the main door, there is a little chamber on the right hand side called “Votivkammer”, in which you can find a book called “Gebetsanliegenbuch”, where believers from all over the world write down prayers to the fourteen saints and also make donations as a sign of gratitude.

Franciscan Monastery

Behind the church, there is a convent. It is inhabited by Franciscan monks. They take care of the numerous pilgrims of the church and are responsible for holding church services. In the convent you will find an exhibition about Franciscan monks and their work from the early days up until today.

Surrounding area

From Vierzehnheiligen you can see far into the Upper Main valley. The church is situated within sight of the Staffelberg and the “ Bendediktinerkloster Banz” (Benedictin monastery of Banz).
The basilica is surrounded by trails that are perfectly suited for hiking or even a short relaxing walk. Excursions in direction of the Staffelberg are especially enjoyable due to their spectacular view of the „Gottesgarten“ (God`s garden).

Restaurants and hotels

Of course there are lots of possibilities to try the typical Franconian food and beer. We can recommend a tour of the „Trunk” brewery, home of the famous „Nothelferbier“(fourteen saints’ beer). Anyone who likes beer should give it a try. You may even get to tap your own keg and take some beer home with you or you can buy bottles of beer as a souvenir.

If you decide to stay overnight or longer, you can rent a room in one of the two hotels “Goldener Hirsch“or “Goldener Stern“. You can sleep in a comfortable bed and wake up to a rich breakfast.

Directions

Arriving by car from the direction of Bamberg, you take the second exit to Bad Staffelstein. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right and, in the village of Grundfeld, take the last turn right. Follow the signs to the church. You will have to park on the large parking lot and walk a short way up the hill to the church. For elderly and handicapped people there is a shuttle bus from the parking lot to the church on Saturdays and Sundays.

sources:
http://www.vierzehnheiligen.de/
http://www.bad-staffelstein.de/de/tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten/vierzehnheiligen.php
Flyer: „Die Wallfahrtskirche Vierzehnheiligen“ (Touristeninfo Lichtenfels)
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilika_Vierzehnheiligen

text written and translated by Melissa Abbott, P-Seminar 10/12 “Werbung für Bad Staffelstein” am MGL
Photos: Melissa Abbott