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Basilica with the tomb of Saint Wendelin  The basilica is the landmark of the city, a late gothic church dating back to the 14th century, which is considered to be the most beautiful religious building in the Saarland. The cathedral with its massive group of three towers, is very rich in art treasures. Particularly important is the elevated tomb with the remains of the Saint, the pulpit in late gothic style and the paintings in the vaults.
Old City HallThe Old City Hall fits very well into the historical picture of the bourgeois houses on the 'Fruchtmarkt' (fruit market). The building was erected upon resolution of the magistrate in 1791, after a plan made by the carpenter Johannes Steininger, in order to replace a city hall which was repeatedly and severely damaged during the Thirty Years War and the Dutch war. The building was finished in 1803. The big staircase on the 'Fruchtmarkt' was built in 1858. In the neigbourhood, there are also the 'Schwanen-Haus', house where the composer and director of music in Vienna Philip Jacob Riotte was born, and the 'Marschall-Haus'. Wendalinus pilgrimage The pilgrimage week takes place from october 20, to november 1. The exhibition of the relics of Saint Wendelin in the glass coffin is an important religious event in the Holy Year 2000. This has last happened fourty years ago, when Pope John XXIII has elevated the parish church to a basilica minor. The pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Wendelin and his veneration has a tradition up to the first millenium. We intend to preserve this tradition for the future, as it is part of the historical identity of our city and thus grants a particular importance in our fast-moving times. The patron of our city is worshipped in many countries and thus transfers the name of St. Wendel all over the world. Many pilgrims come here to worship the Saint. Saint Wendelin was, in spite of the fact that he lived 1.300 years ago, a very modern, openminded person, a patron of the threatened environment, an advocate of the poor and of life itself, who just could not be more up-to-date nowadays. The globe fountain in der Mott The globe fountain in der Mott is one of the most spectacular attractions of the city. The globe rotates solely through the force of the water and thus represents a symbol of the earth rotating permanently in the stream of life. The church in Bliesen with its medieval belfryThe catholic church in Bliesen was built in 1903/1904 under 'Dechant Backes' in a neo-romanesque style, similar to the church 'Maria Laach'. In the church, there are remarkable wooden sculptures of the 18th century. The belfry dating back to the 12th century still remains from the medieval church. The road of the sculptures A series of 16 sculptures between St. Wendel and Baltersweiler created by 17 artists from 7 countries. It is the starting point of the road of the sculptures. 51 big blocs of stone, up to 9 m high and weighing up to 65 tons form one of the most important attractions of the Saarland: The "Road of the Sculptures", extending from St. Wendel over 25 km up to the lake Bostalsee. In a very attractive countryside along the Saarland circuit, 48 artists from eleven different countries have created a gigantesque open-air-gallery which is unique in Germany. The start was an interesting experiment initiated by the local artist Leo Kornbrust who wanted to move artists out of their workshops in order to formulate their message in mutual discussions and work in the open countryside. The road of the sculptures invites for a walk or a bicycle tour. On foot, you will require about half a day and with a bicycle around two hours are needed to pass by all of the 51 works of art. There are wonderful spots underway where you can have a break or a pic-nick, far from the mad rush. Wendalinus Chapel The Rokoko-style chapel of St. Wendelin built in 1755, is in the idyllic valley of the Wendel. The chapel has a baroque altar dating back to the 18th century and a hermitage. The fountain in front of the chapel attracts many pilgrims who fill their bottles with the fine water of the source which, according to the legend, appeared on the spot where St. Wendelin once stuck his stick into the earth during a prolonged drought period. The 'Mission House'Founded by the Steyler missionaries in 1898, the Mission House overlooks the city like a castle. The church, the ethnological museum with the pilgrims' room, the missions' library, the Arnold-Janssen high-school and the rest-home of the missionaries are part of the Mission House.  Magdalenen ChapelThe Magdalenen Chapel in the vicinity of the basilica is one of the oldest buildings ('brown house') in town, with a very turbulent past. One does not suspect nowadays a medieval chapel behind the baroque front in the Balduinstrasse. On the back side of the building however, in the court, we have with the rests of a gothic pointed arch and two buttresses the evidence of the existence of a religius building dating back to the 14thcentury. City wall in the historical part of the city Wendelinus-statueThe modern statue of St. Wendelin by the artist Dieter Pfaff was erected at the occasion of the pilgrimage-week in the Holy Year 2000. The statue greets, as a new emblem, all the visitors of St. Wendel on a very much frequented round-about. Valley of the Oster / setting back of the Oster into its original conditionRather rural districts of the city are situated in the idyllic valley of the Oster, with a great recreational impact. Friends of nature and ecologists should visit the exemplary restoring of the Oster to a natural river on the educational path near Osterbrücken. Historical part of the cityCrooked alleys, archways, paved walks, squares restored carefully in the old style and medieval houses as well as pubs and restaurants with historical atmosphere are the proper field for discoveries, presenting at every corner another spectacular view. Museum of local history in DörrenbachThe museum gives a good picture of the rural life in past times. It is open every first sunday of the month from 2pm - 5 pm. Guided tours upon request: phone 06858 8082. Church by Stengel in NiederlinxweilerThe protestant church in Niederlinxweiler was built in 1755 by Balthasar Wilhelm Stengel in the baroque style typical for him. After finishing this church, he left for the Court of St. Petersburg. Catholic parish |
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