Vierzehnheiligen (Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers)
Categories: Sightseeing, Cultural and History
The basilica is dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated together in Roman Catholicism, especially in Germany at the time of the Black Death in the Middle Ages and located near Bad Staffelstein (Bad Staffelstein vacation rentals | Bad Staffelstein travel guide) in Upper Franconia.
Vierzehnheiligen is a masterpiece of late Baroque and early Rococo design and was inaugurated in 1772 after 29 years of hard work. Its architect is the famous Balthasar Neumann, who died several years before the construction could be finished.
The church is part of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago), which ends in Santiago de Compostela in Spain and therefore attracts hundreds of pilgrims each year. Legend has it the Fourteen Holy Helpers appeared before a young shepherd at the site more than 500 years ago. The saints asked for a place to rest and in return promised to protect the people of the land. Soon after the foundation for a chapel was set, miraculous healings began.
Today the basilica is run by Franciscan monks and open for public all year.
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Location, Map, and Driving Directions
[ view larger map ]
Opening Hours
- in winter from 8am to 6.30pm
- in summer from 8am to 7.30pm
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About this Article
This travel guide has been written by Kathrin Wagner.
She grew up in a small town in Bavaria and then studied Media studies, Literature and History in Erlangen and Munich. As a student she already spent half a year in London and moved back there after graduation in 2006. She is still living in London, where she works in publishing.
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