Kapelle St. Barbara

Gazing upon Kapelle St. Barbara, one can almost hear whispers of its intriguing past. Kapelle St. Barbara stands as a testament to the enduring faith and resilience of the Littenweiler community. The original Kapelle St. Barbara wasn’t here at all. It resided on Sonnenberg, south of Eichberg, overlooking Littenweiler village. Records first mention it in 1449. It was a pilgrimage site, drawing people from afar. This original chapel faced destruction, then rose again, newly consecrated in 1765. However, Emperor Joseph II banned pilgrimages, leaving the chapel abandoned and neglected. In 1862, its very stones journeyed down the mountain by oxcart. They became the foundation of a new St. Barbara church in the village square. This church, too, eventually proved too small for the burgeoning community. Littenweiler’s population boomed after World War II. So, the current Kapelle St. Barbara was built in 1956-57. It was designed by Anton Ohnmacht, head of the Freiburg Archbishop’s Building Office. Interestingly, this was the third church built in Freiburg’s east since the war’s end. The old church on the village square found new life as a community hall. Its past still whispers through its roof turret and onion dome. Today, Kapelle St. Barbara is part of the Freiburg East Catholic parish. This parish also includes Holy Trinity, St. Peter and Paul, and St. Hilarius. Kapelle St. Barbara stands as more than just a building. It echoes with the stories of pilgrimages, rebuilding, and community growth. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Freiburg’s history.