“Have you noticed the small chapel nestled here near the bustling Gögginger Straße?” This is the Kapelle zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes. It stands as a testament to faith and resilience in Augsburg-Göggingen. Its story is one of relocation and enduring devotion.
Let’s step back to 1840. The chapel wasn’t always here. It originally stood by the old city wall near the Gögginger Tor. That’s roughly where Königsplatz is today. Imagine the Augsburg of that era. The chapel was a place for travelers to pause and pray as they entered or left the city.
However, progress has its price. In 1860, the city walls, including the Gögginger Tor, were torn down. This was part of a larger effort to modernize Augsburg’s inner city. The Kapelle zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes had to move.
Between 1860 and 1862, the chapel was relocated not once, but twice. It first went to a spot on Morellstraße. Finally, it found its current home on the grounds of the former Seilerei Baur. This relocation ensured the continuation of a tradition. Way chapels lined the road from Augsburg to Göggingen providing spiritual comfort to travelers.
Take a closer look at the chapel’s architecture. It is a charming example of neo-Gothic style. The chapel faces east to west with a gabled roof. Notice the three pointed arch openings on the street side each adorned with iron bars. To the north is a pointed arch door and to the south, a window allows light to filter in.
Inside the Kapelle zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes, your eyes are drawn to the neo-Gothic winged altar. The centerpiece is a high-quality Pietà. It shows the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus. Flanking her are depictions of the resurrected and ascending Christ. Above them, at the altar’s top, is a moving crucifixion scene.
Don’t miss the large Baroque Madonna statue. You will find it on the west wall northeast of the altar. It is crafted in the style of the “Weilheimer Bildhauerschule”. This statue adds another layer of artistic and spiritual depth to the chapel.
The Kapelle zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Augsburg’s history. It reflects the city’s changing landscape and the enduring power of faith. It stands quietly reminding us of the traditions.