Nestled in the Freiburg district of Littenweiler, the Mariengrotte awaits. This isn’t just any grotto. It’s a Lourdesgrotte, a replica of the sacred site in France. The Mariengrotte sits within the embrace of a former quarry on the Hochrütte Dobel. You won’t find this sanctuary by car. The Mariengrotte calls to those willing to take a short hike from the parking area at the end of Sonnenbergstrasse. Follow the path toward Kappel Hörchersberg, and after about 500 meters, the Mariengrotte will reveal itself on the right side of the forest path. The story of the Mariengrotte begins in 1934. The local parish youth, led by Präfekt Alfons Schlicht, transformed the quarry. An anonymous donor had a vision. She wished for a Lourdes Madonna to grace a place of prayer. The youth responded, crafting the grotto complete with a spring, mimicking the Lourdes original. The heart of the Mariengrotte was a 174 cm tall kneeling statue of Mary. Local sculptor Magnis Seeger carved her from maple wood. Wilhelm Schäfer added the paint. Alongside Mary knelt a figure of Bernadette Soubirous, the young girl to whom Mary appeared in Lourdes in 1858. The Mariengrotte was officially consecrated on October 14, 1934. In 1942, a concrete replica replaced the original wooden statue. The Mariengrotte has seen loving care throughout the years. Pathfinders renovated it in 2014 as a social project. Individuals ensure its regular upkeep, preserving its serene beauty. The Madonna statue, however, is currently absent, removed for undisclosed reasons. The Mariengrotte remains, a testament to faith and community effort.
Straßenwalze
Picture this a relic of Freiburg’s past. A Straßenwalze a road roller sits before you. Its iron frame speaks of