“Imagine orchids blooming where tanks once rolled.” This is Berghauser Matten. It is a protected haven born from military grounds. Today, this natural space offers a sanctuary for rare species. It also offers a glimpse into local history.
Berghauser Matten sits near Ebringen. It is part of the Schönberg range southwest of Freiburg. Until the early 1990s, the French army used this area as a training ground. This military use inadvertently preserved the land. It prevented intensive agriculture.
In 1996, the hills around Berghauser Kapelle became a protected area. This covers about 150 hectares. Diverse habitats exist close together here. You’ll find pastures grazed by sheep. There are also semi-dry grasslands and orchards. Other habitats include oat meadows, forests, shrubs and wetlands.
The Berghauser Matten has diverse plant life. Keep an eye out for the giant horsetail. Spot the early dog-violet. Admire the small sunflower. Notice the hill bedstraw. Seek out the frog orchid. Look for the burnt-tip orchid. Find red and white helleborine. Don’t miss the strawberry clover.
The animal life here is just as varied. Listen for the red-backed shrike. Watch for the whitethroat. Observe the wryneck. Look out for the smooth snake and grass snake. You might see the weinhähnchen and the Lauchschrecke.
The Berghauser Matten’s history stretches back millions of years. The area reveals about 230 million years of Earth’s history. Layers of Triassic, Jurassic, and Tertiary periods are visible. These layers explain the diverse plant life here.
The Berghauser Kapelle is located south of the Kienberg saddle. Berghausen village was once located here. A papal bull from 1144/45 mentions Berghausen. It had a parish church that owed tithes to St. Trudpert Monastery. In 1526, Berghausen and Ebringen parishes merged. This was because the seven farms in Berghausen could barely support a priest.
An unknown architect built the current chapel in 1748. A small hermitage stands beside the chapel. For a long time, the pilgrimage to Maria vom guten Rat was regionally important. The depiction of Mary is on the left side altar.
A Stations of the Cross path exists since 1751. It has seven stations that start at Ebringen cemetery. The chapel was renovated outside in 1979 and inside in 1984/85. In 1989, Jäger & Brommer installed a new organ in the baroque case. Today, couples often use the chapel for weddings. It was also a main location for the 2012 film Jesus Loves Me.
Remember, exploring Berghauser Matten requires respect. Stay on marked paths. This helps protect the delicate habitats. Only walk around the Berghauser Kapelle away from marked paths. Enjoy the blend of history and nature.