The Basilica Fourteen saints, built according to plans by Balthasar Neumann, is a well above the valley of the Obermain bei Bad Staffelstein Visible landmark for the entire region, a golden hour of the Rococo and one of the most famous pilgrimage churches in Germany.
background
The repeated appearance of a child in 1445 was the reason for the first chapel to be built by the abbot of Langheim Abbey on the site of the current basilica. Indulgences promoted rapid development into a place of pilgrimage in the late Middle Ages. The buildings of the pilgrimage went up in flames during the turmoil of the Peasants' Wars in 1525 and during the following Thirty Years War, but they were repeatedly built larger and with fortified fortified churches. From the beginning, the pilgrimage was devoted to St. Mary and one A group of fourteen emergency helpers based on a composition that was popular in the Middle Ages for all threats to body and soul. After the decline of pilgrimage during the Reformation, it was revived in the 17th century as part of the Counter Reformation. The existing structures no longer met the requirements of the time, but disagreements between the Langheim Abbey and the Bishop of Bamberg had prevented the pilgrimage church from being rebuilt.
In 1743 a new building was to be built according to plans by Balthasar Neumann with the concept of a cross-shaped church space and the place of grace arranged centrally in the crossing under a dome. The construction was initially carried out by the Saxon-Weimar master builder Gottfried Heinrich Krohne, who however did not adopt Neumann's concept (possibly for economic reasons after consultation with the abbot) and shifted the entire building a little on the mountain slope, so that the altar of grace is no longer in the crossing, but would have been arranged in the nave.
By the time Neumannn appeared on the construction site, the work on the foundations had progressed so far that it was no longer possible to change these components at a later date.
Neumann's architectural achievement is based on the fact that he introduced two rows of freestanding columns in the nave in addition to the already built church plinth with a given, almost strictly rectangular floor plan, and over these rows of columns several cantilevered bowls, oval in plan and intersecting one another, arched as the church ceiling. The basic type of a three-aisled basilica was thus created again, but now with a swaying spatial effect in the Rococo style. The altar of grace moved back into the center of the church as a mixed solution of longitudinal and central building.
After delays in the Seven Years' War, after Krohne's dismissal in 1743, the construction was probably carried out by the Staffelstein master builder Jahann Thomas Nißler (1713-1769), who also worked on the construction of the neighboring Banz monastery.
The inauguration took place on September 14, 1772 by the Bamberg Bishop Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim.
In 1897 the church was opened by Pope Leo XIII. raised to the basilica.
Even today, Vierzehnheiligen is a nationwide important pilgrimage destination with more than half a million visitors a year. After the abolition of the Langheim monastery, the pilgrimage has been looked after by the Franciscans since 1839.
The 14 protection cartridges are:
- Saint Achatius, soldier with cross and crown of thorns, helper in need in a dispute about justice
- Saint Aegidius, monk, abbot with staff, doe with arrow, he is the patron saint of cattle and shepherds and the patron saint of nursing mothers
- Saint Barbara with tower, chalice, host, sword, patroness of miners, builders, architects, roofers, bricklayers, soldiers, artillerymen etc. and the protector from sudden death.
- Saint Blaise, bishop with staff, miter and two crossed, burning candles, helper in sore throat; Patron of doctors, weavers, wool merchants, wax pullers, tailors, tanners, wind musicians
- Saint Christopher, baby Jesus on his shoulder, stick or tree trunk in hand, the patron of a Christian day's work, helpers in need in many dangers, savior from water shortages; Patron saint of boatmen, raftsmen, all travelers and drivers; Helper against an unforeseen death.
- Saint Cyriacus, deacon with a bound demon, the helper in violent temptations against evil spirits, patron of the oppressed and enslaved, for the hour of death; Comforter for heavy forced labor, patron saint of winegrowers.
- Saint Dionys, bishop with head in hands, helper in headaches, in fear of conscience
- Saint Erasmus, bishop's staff with windlass, the helper for stomach ache and abdominal diseases; Patron of sailors, ship travelers, turners and shoemakers
- Saint Eustachius, stag with a cross in its antlers, the patron saint of hunters and foresters, the rifle clubs; Emergency aid against the destruction of nature; Helper in religious doubts and in severe blows of fate in the family
- Saint George, knight with sword and shield, a red cross on a white flag, the dragon at his feet, the patron saint of knights, farmers, saddlers and blacksmiths, scouts and horses; Model of Christian bravery.
- Saint Catherine, crown, book, sword and broken wheel, the patroness of the class, the philosophers, theologians, legal scholars, notaries, scientists, politicians, the printers, hairdressers, carters, millers, rope makers, potters, wagons, shoemakers, spinners, the Hospitals and hospitals; Emergency helper in many fears.
- Saint Margaret, crown, cross, dragons on ribbon, the patroness of the nourishing state and the country folk; Childbirth helper, advocate for the poor.
- Holy Pantaleon, hands nailed to the head, patron of doctors, midwives and the sick, helper against headaches
- Saint Vitus, oil kettle, rooster, eagle, book, the helper in seizures and emergencies such as epilepsy, lightning and thunderstorms, at the time of sowing and harvest; Patron of the lame and blind, blacksmiths, coopers, innkeepers, brewers, actors, pharmacists
getting there
&groups=Maske,Track,Aktivitaet,Anderes,Anreise,Ausgehen,Aussicht,Besiedelt,Fehler,Gebiet,Kaufen,Kueche,Sehenswert,Unterkunft,aquamarinblau,cosmos,gold,hellgruen,orange,pflaumenblau,rot,silber,violett)
The basilica is located about 25 km north of Bamberg on a ridge south of the Main.
By plane
The closest airport is the Nuremberg Airport.
By train
The nearest train stations are the 1 Lichtenfels train station, about 4 km and the 2 Bad Staffelstein train station, about 6.5 km.
Local public transport in the Nuremberg metropolitan region is operated by the Greater Nuremberg Transport Association VGN operated. It is possible to use different means of transport with one ticket, such as bus, train, S-Bahn or U-Bahn. The tickets can be purchased online or via an app.
In the street
Access on the autobahn-like federal road 173, exit Bad Staffelstein-Nord, and continue, as signposted, via Grundfeld to 3 parking spot, approx. 10-15 minutes walk below the church.
On foot
Pilgrims have been striving for fourteen saints since the 15th century. There are two routes, which besides sculptures along the route have a few other sights to offer. The Pilgrimage of Sesslach to Vierzehnheiligen is 21 km long and the pilgrimage route from Untermerzbach 17 km.
mobility
Increase from 4 Car parking space to the church in approx. 10-15 minutes.Direct access by taxi possible
Tourist Attractions
The church is freely accessible during the day, church tours only by arrangement with the pilgrimage office. In return for free entry, the Franciscans are happy to receive a donation to preserve the basilica.
Franciscan monastery; Fourteen saints 2; D-96231 Bad Staffelstein; Tel .: 49 (0) 9571 / 9508-23, Fax. 49 (0) 9571 / 9508-50
Church interior
The style element of the oval shells of the church vault, which are cut in the floor plan, creates a vibration of the entire interior of the church, which is reflected outwards in the shape of the double tower facade with its concave and convex surfaces set against each other.
The number fourteen for the helpers in need is repeated in the number of church pillars.
The interior and the altar of grace were designed by Wessobrunn artists, the brothers Feichtmayer and Johann Georg Üblher, the frescoes were created by Ignaz Appiani, and the exterior sculptures by the Nuremberg sculptor Johann Christoph Berg. From 1848 to 1871 Augustin Palme replaced all the frescoes with his own works in the Nazarene style, partly with massive damage to Appiani's work.
During the First World War, it was restored in the Appianian style; the last restoration phase took place from 1983 to 1990.
Altar of grace
In the center of the church is the free-standing altar of grace with the fourteen helpers in the rococo style. The altar is accessible to the pilgrims from all sides and offers the opportunity to walk around it.
activities
- The Emergency Way is the historical connection between Klosterlangheim and Vierzehnheiligen. It leads over the plateau of the Jura. It is 4.6 km long and can be done in about an hour. There are 14 modern sculptures along the way.
respect
The church building is a place of prayer and religiosity for devout visitors. A correspondingly discreet and undisturbed behavior of all visitors is desirable, walking around and taking photos during church services is undesirable.
accommodation
- 1 Frankenthal House, Vierzehnheiligen 7/9, 96231 Bad Staffelstein. Tel.: 49(0)9571 9260. Education center of the Archdiocese of Bamberg, 70 rooms with shower and toilet, 12 shower rooms, 12 washrooms.Price: € 43 to € 57 per person with breakfast.
- 2 Diocesan House Vierzehnheiligen, Vierzehnheiligen 9, 96231 Bad Staffelstein. Tel.: 49 9571 9260, Fax: 49 9571 926-199. The educational and conference centers of the Archdiocese of Bamberg consist of the Diocesan House, the Frankenthal House and the à la carte restaurant Goldener Hirsch.
- 3 golden Star, Vierzehnheiligen 6, 96231 Bad Staffelstein. Tel.: 49 9571 71040. Ten double rooms, free WiFi, with an inn with a sun terrace and beer garden. The old building of the hotel is the former forester's house of the abbots of Langheim Abbey and about as old as the basilica next to it.
kitchen
- 1 Goldener Hirsch inn, Vierzehnheiligen 7, 96231 Bad Staffelstein. Tel.: 49 9571 9268, Fax: 49 9571 926699, Email: [email protected].
- 2 Brewery Trunk, Vierzehnheiligen 3, 96231 Bad Staffelstein. Tel.: 49(0)9571 3488. A few meters above the basilica there is the brewery, the special beer at the pilgrimage site is the Nothelfertrunk, a dark monastery beer.Open: Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., snacks served until 7 p.m.
trips
- to Banz Monastery directly opposite on the other bank of the Main.
- The next bigger cities are Bamberg, Coburg, Bayreuth, gain, Nuremberg, Wurzburg.
literature
Web links
- official site of the Franciscan monastery with further information.
