Imagine villagers gathering. They’re whispering about a weeping statue. That’s the story of Horburg-Maßlau. This place offers more than meets the eye.
Horburg-Maßlau is now part of Leuna. It’s a place with a unique past. The Luppe River divides Horburg and Maßlau. Horburg is one of the oldest places around here. It once drew pilgrims from afar.
Let’s journey back. In 933, Horburg’s castle arose. The village grew around it. By 1127, Horburg appeared in records. A document from 1191 says Bishop Eberhard owned a castle here. It stood on the old burg’s walls. Sadly, no trace remains today.
Around 1250, something special happened. A sandstone Madonna statue came to the church. Soon, it was famed as the “Horburger Madonna.” People believed it had special powers. Pilgrims flocked to Horburg for it. Even after the Reformation, it stayed important.
The statue met a sad fate in the 17th century. It was broken apart. But in 1930, it was put back together. Now, you can see it in Horburg’s church.
Maßlau’s story is less known. They say it started as a fishing village. Fish were plentiful in the Luppe.
Why did they call it the “weeping Madonna?” The statue was made of rhyolite tuff. This stone holds moisture. In autumn, the moisture came out. It looked like the Madonna was crying.
Since 2003, pilgrims walk through Horburg again. The Jakobsweg passes through. It’s part of the Via Regia. This path leads all the way to Apostle Jakobus’s tomb. It is in Santiago de Compostela.
Every September, Horburg-Maßlau hosts a special event. It is the Zwiebelmarkt or onion market. The coat of arms shows a silver castle with a silver lily above it. The colors of Horburg-Maßlau are white and blue.
Horburg-Maßlau’s story is one of faith. It is a story of rebuilding. It is about a weeping Madonna. The village continues to welcome those who seek history. It welcomes those who seek connection.