Beneath our feet lies a hidden gem. It is a space for reflection and peace. We are standing before the Evangelische Studierendengemeinde Uni Köln Sandkapelle.
This chapel is not just any chapel. It is a unique space. The Sandkapelle invites you to pause. It calls for prayer and meditation. The generous prayer room features a walkway and sand.
More than 20 years ago, this room was filled with sand. It is in the basement of the ESG. Since then, it has been a place for weekly services. It is a space for silence. People come here to retreat. Extensive renovations in 2015 gave the chapel a modern look.
The Sandkapelle is special. The pastor was inspired by her hairdresser. He had scattered sand on his shop floor. The idea to use sand in the ESG chapel was well received. Students liked it. The sensory experience of sand underfoot was appealing. The religious references to sand and desert resonated. All this contributes to the Sandkapelle’s uniqueness. It makes services and baptisms special. Even weddings become unforgettable experiences.
The Sandkapelle has hosted art projects. Veronika Moos-Brochhagen packed the sand into bags. It was for a Lenten action. For 40 days, the chapel was without its sand floor. Artist Heino Lonnemann installed a water basin in 2004. People had to step over stones in the water. This was to reach the sand of the chapel.
In 2015, the Sandkapelle was renovated. The dusty sand was replaced. It wasn’t good for the organ. Now, there is coarser sand. Some areas have wooden floors.
Near the Evangelische Studierendengemeinde Uni Köln Sandkapelle lies another point of interest. It is the Park der Menschenrechte. Heino Lonnemann designed the plaques in the park in 2004. In 2003, students started an initiative. They aimed to start the design of the park. Two years later, the park was inaugurated. Concrete slabs with human rights texts were integrated into the walkway.
The Evangelische Studierendengemeinde Uni Köln Sandkapelle continues to welcome visitors. Its doors are open during ESG hours. It offers a space for contemplation. Take a moment to appreciate this unique space. Feel the sand. Reflect on its history and purpose.