Have you ever wondered where legends are born? Here, before the Kunigundenstein, myth intertwines with history. This stone carries a tale of faith, perseverance, and a queen’s enduring legacy.
We are standing before the Kunigundenstein. It is a place where the devout Queen Kunigunde is said to have left her mark. Legend states that while praying here, she imprinted her hand, knee, and foot outlines onto the stone.
Kunigunde was no ordinary queen. She was the wife of Emperor Heinrich II. Together, they significantly shaped Bamberg. Kunigunde actively participated in her husband’s reign. She played a crucial role in establishing the Bamberg Bishopric. She also helped build many churches and monasteries.
Kunigunde’s origins trace back to Count Siegfried of Luxembourg. The exact year of her birth remains unknown. She married Heinrich II around 998 or 1000. Her influence extended far. She co-founded the Archbishopric of Bamberg with her husband. Kunigunde was canonized in 1200. The imperial couple rests together in Bamberg Cathedral.
The Kunigundenstein lies about 150 meters southeast of the Kunigunden Chapel. This chapel is a late Romanesque structure dating back to the Hohenstaufen era. It was likely built around 1230 by Heinrich von Hohenlohe and his son Konrad von Hohenlohe. The chapel served as a pilgrimage church for nearby villages.
The Kunigunden Chapel underwent renovations between 1608 and 1609. Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn oversaw these changes. The late Romanesque murals were painted over. Two pointed arch windows were added in the nave. This renovation aimed to strengthen the Counter-Reformation. A stone tablet above the south portal from 1614 commemorates this renovation.
In the mid-18th century, Baroque elements were introduced. The walls and ceiling received stucco work. The main altar was erected in 1762. Thomas Klee from Buch funded it. The altar depicts the Holy Family. Statues of Empress Kunigunde and Emperor Heinrich II stand on either side.
Another renovation occurred around 1900. Much was painted white and adorned with gold leaf. Regular services became less frequent. They only took place on Kunigunde Day on March 3 and on the third Day of Prayer.
After 1945, the cemetery was no longer used due to the war. The Kunigunden Chapel declined in importance. In 1859, a new church was built in Buch. A new cemetery was established there in 1945. Excavations were conducted in the chapel in 1961 and 1962. The thorough restoration restored it to its present condition.
A pilgrim path is named after Kunigunde. It leads from the Kunigunden Chapel on Altenberg to Bamberg. The Kunigundenweg stretches for about 110 kilometers. It meanders through Franconian towns and villages. This path connects all three Franconian administrative districts.
The Kunigundenstein serves as a reminder of Kunigunde’s deep connection to this land. The story of the Kunigundenstein echoes through time. It symbolizes Kunigunde’s faith and her lasting impact on Bamberg. It is a reminder of a queen who left her mark on stone and history.