A poignant image greets you a tapestry depicting the Stalingrad Madonna. Welcome to the Kapelle Zum Frieden in Meersburg. This unassuming chapel holds a powerful story.
Built in the 17th century it originally stood along the road to Stetten. Prince Bishop Franz Johann von Prassberg initiated its construction to honor Saint Joseph. The chapel’s location was significant a key route connecting Meersburg to its neighboring village.
However the road’s expansion in 1977 forced its relocation. The chapel wasn’t abandoned. Instead it was meticulously rebuilt here at its current site near the Rosenhag. It gained its current name from the nearby inn Zum Frieden an establishment that once stood along the old Stetten road.
But the chapel’s history extends far beyond its architectural details. Its altar showcases a remarkable replica of the Stalingrad Madonna. The original a charcoal sketch was created on Christmas Eve 1942. Field doctor and theologian Kurt Reuber drew it on the back of a Russian map amidst the brutal battle of Stalingrad. This image offered a moment of solace and hope for soldiers within the besieged city.
The original drawing was flown out of Stalingrad a testament to its significance. It now resides in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin. The copy here in Meersburg a gift from the widow of Dr A Roth makes this powerful image accessible to the public. It serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and the enduring power of faith.
This small chapel serves as a place of remembrance and reflection a place to remember those lost during the battle. It also bears witness to the resilience of the human spirit even in the face of unimaginable suffering.