Standing here, notice the Echardinger-Altöttinger-Großmayer-Kapelle. It is more than just a building. It’s a story etched in stone and spirit. This chapel has a history both old and new. Its tale involves war, loss, and a dedicated community.
The original Echardinger Kapelle stood from 1748 to 1944. Therese Kolberer, the widow of the Großmayer of Echarting, funded its construction. She built it out of Christian zeal. The chapel stood on the historic pilgrimage route. It connected Baumkirchen to Ramersdorf. Pilgrims passed by Berg am Laim and the hamlet of Echarding. Locals knew it by different names. Some called it the Echardinger Kapelle. Others knew it as the Großmayer Kapelle. Many called it the Altöttinger Kapelle. This was due to its replica of the Altötting Madonna.
Tragedy struck during World War II. A bomb attack in 1944 completely destroyed the old chapel. For almost sixty years, it vanished from memory. The area became a green space near Echardinger Straße. Few remembered the chapel that once stood there.
But the story does not end in ruins. Robert Peklo spearheaded the effort to rebuild the Echardinger-Großmayer-Kapelle. His dedication turned a dream into reality. Construction took just under a year. On May 26, 2001, the new chapel was consecrated. This was almost exactly 250 years after the first one. The ceremony was ecumenical.
The rebuilt Echardinger-Altöttinger-Großmayer-Kapelle mirrors the original. Builders used old plans and photographs. They placed it almost exactly where it once stood. The architectural style remains true to its origins.
Despite being built in 2000 and 2001, the Echardinger Kapelle is a protected monument. According to a statement by Prof. Dr. E. Burmeister, Munich’s heritage conservationist, its reconstruction isn’t a historically meaningless replica. In terms of monument protection, it can be viewed as a folk-art monument from the start.
You can visit the Echardinger-Altöttinger-Großmayer-Kapelle. It is located at Echardinger Straße 50. The chapel opens every first Saturday from May to October. The opening hours are from 10:00 to 12:00.
The “Friends of the Echardinger Kapelle” cares for the chapel. They maintain this special place. The association welcomes new members. They ensure the chapel’s preservation for years to come. You can call 089/676870 for inquiries.
The Echardinger-Altöttinger-Großmayer-Kapelle is more than bricks and mortar. It embodies faith, loss, and renewal. It reminds us of the enduring power of community. It stands as a testament to Munich’s rich history.