Kevelaer as a pilgrimage destination

Kevelaer am Niederrhein is an important Marian pilgrimage site with a compact center around the Kapellenplatz. For travel planning include religious significance, paths between churches, current Worship time, arrival and accommodation.

Brief facts on the subject

• The central address of the Catholic Parish and Sanctuary of St. Mary is Kapellenplatz 35, 47623 Kevelaer.
• At Kapellenplatz are among others the Basilica of Mary, the chapel of mercy, the candle chapel and the confessional chapel.
• Kevelaer station is located at 55, 47623 Kevelaer station; From there, the path leads towards the city centre and Kapellenplatz.
• A day is often enough for a concentrated visit; with worship, quiet time and additional sightseeing, one or two nights are more pleasant.
• The order of worship changes according to pilgrimage time, Sundays and holidays as well as special pilgrimage groups.
• The pilgrimage motto of the municipality is 2026 “Giving space”; Current dates and arrivals should be checked again before departure.

Why is Kevelaer a pilgrimage destination?

The Kevelaer pilgrimage dates back to 1642. According to tradition, the merchant Hendrick Busman built a holy house at a crossroads. His wife Mechel Schrouse had previously had a small The image of Mary, which later came to Kevelaer as an image of grace. The pilgrimage developed around the “Comforter of the Sorrowful”.

The hexagonal chapel was built in 1654 to protect the sculpture. Thus, Kevelaer is not a goal consisting only of a single church: The religious visit opens up via the chapel square, which various chapels, the basilica, prayer, candles and personal time on site. The Official Sanctuary of St. Mary describes the facilities, registration options and current information for pilgrim groups.

The main churches and chapels

Basilica of Mary

The great pilgrimage church was built between 1858 and 1864 and elevated in 1923 to the Papal Basilica. The specific address is Kapellenplatz 35, 47623 Kevelaer. In the basilica the great Pilgrimage services. The neo-Gothic architecture and the coloring with scenes from the history of salvation, the Bible and the liturgy also make the church room interesting for visitors who, in addition to the divine service, You want to see art historical design.

Mercy Chapels

The Grace Chapel is at the center of the Kevelaer pilgrimage. Its hexagonal dome building was built in 1654 after the model of the Gnadenkapelle von Scherpenheuvel. Inside, the small image of grace of the “comforter” of the Worshipped ones. Enough rest should be planned for the visit, because the chapel is not an ordinary viewpoint, but a place of prayer and personal retreat.

Candle chapel

The Candle Chapel is the oldest Kevelaer pilgrimage church. It was built from 1643 to 1645 and commemorates with candles, coat of arms and votive gifts the many processions from Germany and the Benelux countries. If you want to understand the history of the pilgrimage, you will find particularly clear traces of the pilgrimage groups and their connection with Kevelaer.

Confession Chapels and other places of prayer

The Confession Chapel is located in the area of the Basilica of Mary and has been developed for pastoral care of pilgrims. Sacrament Chapel, Crossroads and Johanneskapelle complement the tour. Opening up and offerings for dialogue depends on the current order.

Planning worship services and pilgrimage time

The official church service lists several Mass celebrations in the basilica and chapels for Sundays and holidays. During the pilgrimage period from May to October, a pilgrimage service takes place at 10 o'clock in the Basilica, There are also, depending on the day, pilgrimage, rosary, Vesper, Marian praise and other prayer times. Confession and conversation opportunities are also given with fixed time windows. This information shall include: are not to be understood as a permanent guarantee: Short-term changes, holiday regulations and registered groups can change the process.

For an individual visit, a day plan with main service, tour and rest period is realistic. Those who take part in a great pilgrimage or want to include the Way of the Cross should plan more time. In Groups recommend prior registration.

Getting to Kevelaer with specific addresses

For navigation to the pilgrimage center, the address is suitableChapel Square 35, 47623 Kevelaer. There is the parish and pilgrimage community of St. Mary with the central churches and chapels. Who comes by train, used as a destinationKevelaer Station, Am Bahnhof 55, 47623 Kevelaer. From the train station it goes towards the city centre and on to Kapellenplatz. The exact walking route, construction sites and schedules should be checked on the day of travel.

For arrival by car, access, signposted parking and possible closures on pilgrimage days must be considered. For travel groups with bus, the travel and stop requirements apply in addition of the city as well as the agreement with the pilgrimage community. For people with reduced mobility, the concrete accessibility of the respective church, seating, toilets and the distance from Parking is more important than a general statement about accessibility.

Accommodation and length of stay

For a short visit, an accommodation with good connection to the Kapellenplatz is nearby. When choosing, not only price and room size count, but also a reliable arrival time, as short a distance as possible without unnecessary climbs, luggage storage and the possibility to get to the accommodation without a long return trip after the service. For a stay in the Lower Rhine offers the search for Apartments in Kevelaer the direct reference to the place; In addition, Accommodation in the district of Kleve Compare.

One night is often enough if only the chapel square, a divine service and the return journey are planned. Two nights offer more peace and leave additional time for the city center, the Crossroads or a walk through the environment. Those who travel with several people can make the decision for a holiday apartment at kitchen, lounge, sleeping arrangement, check-in and distance to train station or pilgrimage center. Availability and specific equipment must be checked in the selected offer.

Connect Kevelaer with other pilgrimage destinations

Kevelaer is especially suited to a journey where a fixed pilgrimage site and short distances are more important than a long hike. Compared to Pilgrim Cities in Germany Kevelaer stands for a compact Marian pilgrimage on the Lower Rhine.Altötting’ offers a pilgrimage similarly concentrated on the Kapellplatz, while Aachen the cathedral, the sanctuaries and a larger city center.Tris is suitable for the connection of cathedral, Liebfrauenkirche and Roman city history.

Anyone who wants to visit not only a place, but a way can Pilgrimage Routes in Germany Compare. For the Camino de Santiago, stages, pilgrimage card and return journey are in the foreground; at the Jakobsweg Planning these issues will be dealt with in greater detail. A longer European alternative is the Via Francigena to Rome. The central Overview of pilgrimages helps to distinguish between path, pilgrimage and religious destination.

Frequent questions about Kevelaer as a pilgrimage destination

What is the address of the Sanctuary in Kevelaer?

The central address of the parish and pilgrimage community of St. Mary is Kapellenplatz 35, 47623 Kevelaer. The most important chapels are located in the vicinity of this square.

How long should you plan for Kevelaer?

For chapel space and a divine service often enough a day. With quiet time, crossroads, further prayer offers or a relaxed arrival and return journey, one or two nights are useful.

When is pilgrimage time in Kevelaer?

Many special pilgrimage offers are between May and October. The exact order of worship, processions and pilgrimage days change; The current information should be checked before the trip.

How to get from the station to Kapellenplatz?

The station is located at the address Am Bahnhof 55, 47623 Kevelaer. From there, the connection leads to the city center and to the chapel square; the current walking route and possible construction sites should be checked on site.

Are there holiday apartments in Kevelaer?

For the stay, holiday apartments in Kevelaer and in the district of Kleve can be compared. Decisive are location to the chapel square, arrival, check-in, equipment and actual availability.