Enjoy the calming and inspiring aura of sacred buildings. The special architecture of churches and abbeys creates an extraordinary atmosphere that gives you space for spirituality, faith and reflection.
Nestled in nature, there it lies, the Cistercian Abbey of Himmerod. The monastery, which was founded as early as the 12th century, radiates a special spiritual power. Feel this source of confidence in the church and simply give up your worries, fears and needs in prayer - a liberating experience. Here you will come to rest, find your way back to new strength and confidence.
The monastery is located in the Salm Valley on the southern slope of the Eifel, the western part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. It is surrounded by forests, valleys and heights, picturesque small towns and villages. Nearby is the Moselle valley with its vineyards. Here you can enjoy deep peace and quiet. Hectic, noise and stress stay in front of the thick monastery walls. Who comes here, finds his inner center and rests again in himself.
The small chapel has something enchanted about it, as it so quietly watches over the edge of the maar. Mystical stories entwine around this place. It is said that once upon a time there was a castle in the place of the Weinfeld Maar. When the lord of the castle once returned from hunting, the castle had sunk into the Maar - as punishment for the wickedness of his wife. Only their child floated safely in a cradle on the shore and was the count's only consolation. Legends say that in the right light conditions you can still see the battlements of the castle shimmering under the surface of the water. The Weinfeld church on the edge of the shore once belonged to the village of the same name, which fell victim to the plague in the 16th century.
Today, it is said that whoever pulls the ropes inside the chapel and thereby makes the bells ring, has a wish free - try it out!
This particular pilgrimage church is located in the small village of Driesch, which belongs to the municipality of Lutzerath. The church was built there already in the second half of the 15th century. Mater Dolorosa was built in late Gothic style, with an impressive octagonal central pillar. However, it is the impressive Bitter Sorrows altar that catches all eyes. The baroque altar, decorated all over with elaborate carvings, depicts the story of Christ's suffering. Vines, angel heads, the details of the landscape are impressive. Not much is known about the origin of the altar - it is believed that it was made by a carpenter from the neighboring village in over 30 years of painstaking work.
Would you like to discover churches and places of worship by bike? Then set out on the Eifel Pilgrims' Cycle Route, which leads from Himmerod Abbey to the pilgrimage site of Klausen. Apart from the Cistercian Abbey, where the tour starts, the Eifel Pilgrims' Cycle Path also passes the Fintenkapelle Bergweiler as well as the St. Martin's Church in Dreis, from there it goes to the castle chapel of Esch and up to the Klausen pilgrimage church "Maria Heimsuchung".
