Marienkapelle

Nestled on the banks of the Rhine at kilometre 714, the late Gothic St. Mary’s Chapel (Marienkapelle) in Monheim am Rhein stands as one of the oldest pilgrimage chapels in the Archdiocese of Cologne.

As early as the 12th century, a holy house with an image of the Virgin Mary was erected here, inspired by the miraculous conditions of the current. In 1418, Rhine boatmen constructed a wooden chapel, which was later replaced by a stone building in 1514. A jetty was also constructed to accommodate a Rhine barge, enabling believers from the left bank to visit the chapel and venerate its revered image of the Virgin Mary. Notably, in 1553, Cologne councillor Hermann von Weinsberg documented that many people sought solace at the chapel during the plague. The chapel’s Pietà, dating from the early 16th century, is a stunning example of iconographic symbolism, featuring the Mother of God’s left hand depicted in an oversized manner.

Today, the Marienkapelle am Rhein e.V., led by Hans Schnitzler, oversees the preservation of St. Mary’s Chapel. On the first Sunday of every month at 4 pm, the chapel hosts a free one-hour concert as part of the ‘Klangwellen 714’ (Sound Waves 714) series. These concerts, under the patronage of local writer Ulla Hahn and her husband, Dr. Klaus von Dohnanyi, and directed by Monheim pianist Oliver Drechsel, support the chapel’s restoration. More information about the programme can be found here.

An d’r Kapell 1
40789 Monheim am Rhein