Pilgrim Cities in Germany

German pilgrimage cities combine religious tradition, historical places and a trip that can also be planned with a few holiday days. Altötting, Aachen, Trier and Kevelaer differ in religious characteristics, Size, arrival and length of stay. For the selection therefore count not only the importance of the sanctuary, but also paths between the visiting places, suitable breaks and an accommodation with good access to Local centre.

Brief facts on the subject

• Altötting is a compact Marian pilgrimage place in Bavaria around Kapellplatz.
• Aachen connects the cathedral, the cathedral treasury and the history of the sanctuary journey with an easily accessible city center.
• Trier is suitable for connecting the cathedral, Liebfrauenkirche and other historical destinations in Germany’s oldest city.
• Kevelaer is an important Marian pilgrimage site on the Lower Rhine with a basilica, chapel square and short paths in the center.
• A day visit is enough for a first impression; For church services, guided tours, talks and additional sights, one to two overnight stays are useful.
• Opening hours, church services, guided tours, pilgrimage dates, parking facilities and barrier accesses must be checked before the trip at the competent authorities.

Altötting: Marian pilgrimage at Kapellplatz

Altötting fits in with a journey in which the religious center should be accessible in a narrow space. The Detailed planning for Altötting complements specific addresses and information about the stay. TheGrace Chapel at Kapellplatz, 84503 Altöttingpreserves the image of Our Lady and is at the center of the pilgrimage site. For organizational questions, the Episcopal Administration of the Kapellstiftung is underKapellplatz 4, 84503 Altöttinga specific contact address. There are other churches and facilities around the square, so that the visit can be planned on foot.

For a first stay, a day with arrival, visit of the Grace Chapel and a tour of the Kapellplatz is often enough. Those who attend services, visit the Basilica of St. Anna or the Treasury If you want to plan, you should add more time. Current liturgical times and instructions for pilgrimage groups belong on the personal travel list before departure. The portal Pilgrims in Bavaria offers a supra-regional orientation to paths and pilgrimages.

Aachen: Cathedral, sanctuaries and city centre

Aachen is the most important place to visit in the historic city centre. TheDominformation Aachen, Johannes-Paul-II-Straße, 52062 Aachen, is the specific address for visit advice and guide requests around the cathedral. The Aachen Cathedral itself is reached via the Domhof. The Concrete travel planning for Aachen complements address, arrival, length of stay and accommodation. In addition to the church room, the cathedral treasury can be interesting for stay planning; For guided tours, own times and booking conditions apply.

Aachen is particularly suitable for a combined cultural and pilgrimage stay of one to two days. Before booking, it should be clarified whether a service, a guided tour or an appointment of the sanctuary trip in The focus is on. The city centre location facilitates routes between the cathedral, accommodation and other destinations, but does not replace the examination of admission, group rules and short-term changes. Those who arrive by train should determine the last route to the cathedral and the way back after the evening program.

Trier: Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche

Trier offers several religious and historical destinations in the city centre. TheTrier Cathedral, Liebfrauenstraße 12, 54290 Triertogether with the Liebfrauenkirche in a central area. The Dom information at the same address is an important point of contact for visit questions, guided tours and current information. For travel planning, they help Specific information about Trier; Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche should not only be regarded as photo stops: worship, quiet time and a guided tour significantly change the required time frame.

A full day is enough for the central churches and a tour of the old town. Two nights are worthwhile if additional Roman buildings, museums or another religious place are to be visited. Dates a Holy Rock pilgrimage or other events may not be taken from older travel information. Before departure are the current opening and worship times, possible access restrictions and to control the arrival to the accommodation.

Kevelaer: Pilgrimage on the Lower Rhine

Kevelaer is focused on pilgrimages to the Basilica of St. Mary and to the chapels in the central square. The Information about pilgrimage, arrival and stay in Kevelaer Complete the location overview. TheCatholic parish and pilgrimage of St. Mary, Chapel Square 35, 47623 Kevelaer, is the appropriate location for worship services and church instructions. The Basilica, the Grace Chapel and other places of prayer are located in the vicinity of the Kapellenplatz. This allows the religious part of the stay Connect without long distances.

For an individual pilgrimage, one day may be enough. Groups, participants on a set pilgrimage day and travelers with additional rest period should plan an overnight stay. In the case of accommodation, short Paths to the chapel square, a reliable arrival time and, if necessary, barrier-free accesses. Current religious services, appointments, parking instructions and rules for groups should be provided before traveling to the The pilgrimage community is looked for.

Which pilgrimage city fits your own journey?

Altötting is the obvious choice for a compact Marian pilgrimage site with a central place. Aachen fits in with a journey that combines religious significance, cathedral treasure and a larger city. Trier recommends, if church visit, history and several days of stay should come together. Kevelaer is particularly practical for a concentrated pilgrimage on the Lower Rhine with short paths.

Who wants to go a longer distance first, finds in the overview Pilgrimage routes in Germany different paths with starting and finishing points. The The Way of Jacob is suitable for a stage journey with a daily change of location; which: Via Francigena to Rome for a European long-distance route. The central side to Pilgrimages and religious destinations combines these possibilities with other destinations. Rome and the Vatican stand up Rome and Vatican as pilgrimage destinations specific addresses and information on residence planning.

Connecting travel and accommodation meaningfully

Before booking, the destination address, station or bus connection, walking distance and return should be considered together. For Altötting and the Bavarian goals can Holiday accommodation in Bavaria by location and equipment are compared. For Aachen and Kevelaer, the search leads to Accommodation in North Rhine-Westphalia; Coming for Trier Holiday accommodation in Rhineland-Palatinate question. The regions do not replace checking the specific offer: distance, check-in, parking, barrier poverty and return travel must be checked at the selected accommodation.

For a day visit, accommodation at the train station or in the center can simplify the process. For two or more nights, cuisine, tranquility, luggage storage and a good connection to the religious places are more important. For Documents, medicines, weather-friendly clothing and the return trip help the Holiday checklist. General information on the selection of holiday apartments is available in the Planning of an apartment.

Frequent questions about pilgrimage cities in Germany

Which German pilgrimage city is suitable for a short stay?

Altötting and Kevelaer offer particularly compact centers. Aachen and Trier can also be visited in one day, if only the most important churches are planned.

How many nights should you plan?

One night is often enough for a concentrated visit. Church services, guided tours, pilgrimage appointments and other sights speak for two nights or more.

Can you connect Pilgrimage City and Holiday Apartment?

Yes. A holiday apartment is especially useful for several travelers, a longer rest or two to three nights in a fixed place. Decisive are location, arrival and check-in.

Are there fixed opening hours for churches and chapels?

The times vary according to church, worship, leadership and event. Before the trip, the current information of the respective pilgrimage community or cathedral information should be checked.

Which address should be entered in the navigation?

For Altötting the Kapellplatz is suitable, in Aachen the cathedral information at the Johannes-Paul-II.-Straße, in Trier the Liebfrauenstraße 12 and in Kevelaer the Kapellenplatz 35. The concrete access and parking situation should be further examined.