Waghäusel: Hermitage, Pilgrimage and Paths
Accommodation in Waghäusel
Explore Waghäusel through its historic architecture and routes with religious significance. The Hermitage tells the story of its origins as a hunting lodge and retreat; the Marienweg and the Vin Sancti Martini pilgrimage route offer further perspectives on the area. If you are planning a stay, you can consider whether you are more interested in history, a pilgrimage on foot, or exploring by bicycle.
The Hermitage and its history
The first Hermitage complex in Waghäusel was built between 1724 and 1729 as a hunting lodge and retreat for Prince-Bishop Damian Hugo von Schönborn. This specific origin makes the Hermitage a special starting point for a visit focused on cultural history: it is not just a historic name, but a complex with a stated former function and a clearly defined period of construction. If you are interested in the history of the place, you can make the Hermitage a focus of your trip and plan your excursion around its historical character.
The pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary in Waghäusel also has its own, older tradition. According to legend, it originated when a shepherd found a statue of the Virgin Mary in 1435. Later, in 1472/73, Bishop Matthias Rammung had a chapel built for pilgrims. The two dates refer to different events: 1435 belongs to the legend of the discovery, while 1472/73 marks the construction of the chapel. Here, you will encounter both a traditional account of the pilgrimage’s origins and a specific event in its history.
Pilgrimage on foot or by bicycle
The Marienweg in Waghäusel passes several stations and invites visitors to make a pilgrimage on foot or by bicycle. You can choose how to travel according to your own preference. The stations create a sequence of individual stopping points, so the route can be experienced not only as a religious theme but also as a journey. If you enjoy being active, the Marienweg offers an opportunity to get to know Waghäusel from this perspective.
The Vin Sancti Martini pilgrimage route is distinct from it: its main route leads from Bruchsal via the Marienkapelle in Wiesental to Speyer. This sequence can help you orient yourself when exploring the course of the main route. The Marienkapelle in Wiesental is specifically a stop along this route. The Marienweg and Vin Sancti Martini share the theme of pilgrimage, but each has its own name and route.
Discover the historic network of routes by bicycle
In Kirrlach, a district of Waghäusel, one of the project’s stations about the Schönborn avenues provides information on the historic Baroque network of routes. It is a good place for a short break during a cycling tour and invites you to explore the network by bicycle. The visit combines a stop along the way with a look at the history of the avenues. This offers a different focus for your day than the Hermitage or the pilgrimage routes: here, the emphasis is on the Baroque network of routes and the opportunity to explore its history on a cycling tour.
More local pages: Forst, Östringen, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Linkenheim-Hochstetten, Rheinstetten, Karlsdorf-Neuthard and Zaisenhausen.
For the broader travel overview: Karlsruhe.
