Let’s head to the edge of Ainring, where a winding road takes us to the small village of Bicheln. And there, just off the road, stands the church of St. Erasmus. It’s not a grand church, but it has a charm of its own. The church was built in 1753 and is dedicated to St. Erasmus. He is a patron saint of sailors with a story that’s both intriguing and somewhat unsettling. It’s said that St. Erasmus was a bishop in Formia, Italy, during the time of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. He was persecuted for his faith and is thought to have been tortured to death by having his intestines slowly wound around a windlass and pulled out of his body. This gruesome tale explains why he is also invoked for relief from intestinal ailments and women in labor. The church of St. Erasmus in Bicheln is a reminder of the faith and the suffering that many early Christians endured. It’s a beautiful place to contemplate the mysteries of faith and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.
Burg Gruttenstein
How about we uncover the secrets of Burg Gruttenstein? It’s more than just old stones. It is a testament to