“Jesus is stripped of his garments.” Can you imagine the humiliation and pain depicted here at the VI. Fall der Höchberger Sieben Fälle Statue? This is the sixth station. It is part of a 17th-century Stations of the Cross. This path is known as the Höchberger Sieben Fälle.
The Höchberger Sieben Fälle begins near the Würzburger Hofbräu AG. It ends at the Kreuzkapelle of the Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Geburt in Höchberg. This path’s origin lies in the Holy Land. Pilgrims there walked the path of Christ’s suffering. Events from the Gospels were linked to specific places. These spots were marked with stones or chapels.
Initially, only seven stations were known until the 16th century. The number later increased to fourteen. The Höchberger Sieben Fälle were created between 1626 and 1627. Tradition says the path emerged during the witch hunts. During Prince-Bishop Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg’s rule, 219 people were killed. The Hofgesinde brotherhood wanted to prove their faith. Konrad Bauer led this group. He was the court kitchen master. They commissioned the creation of these Bildstöcke.
Several artists worked on the stations. They used Christoph Schwarz’s Passion series as inspiration. Balthasar Grohe also contributed. Michael Kern the Younger and Georg Brenck the Younger also worked on the artwork. The stations needed restoration early in our century. The fifth station was completely redesigned. Herbert Spielmann from Höchberg created the new design. In 1992, the Höchberg beautification association renovated the sixth station. They placed the replica a few meters from the original. Erwin Hauck from Estenfeld and Andrea Schimmer worked on it. Schimmer created the medallion.
Today, the VI. Fall der Höchberger Sieben Fälle Statue stands as a testament to faith. It also stands as a reminder of a troubled past. Take a moment to reflect on the stories etched in this stone. Let the image of Jesus being stripped remind us of human suffering. Remember also the power of faith.