St.-Katharina Chapel

St Catherine's Chapel is located in the extended settlement area of Hauenstein near the former convent of the Carmelite nuns. Built in 1512, St Catherine's Chapel is home to what is probably the oldest wooden sculpture in the Palatinate; the Pieta (=vespers image) dates from around 1360-1380. The people of Hauenstein tell the story that the lady of the nearby Falkenburg castle once had the small chapel built above today's Hauenstein cemetery. She is said to have thanked God for saving her child, who had fallen from the castle.

 In 2012, the Catholic parish celebrated the 500th anniversary of this gem.

With all the knowledge gained in the course of the ‘valorisation of the chapel’, through investigations of the building fabric, the historical circumstances and assumptions, the year 1512 can no longer be held as the year of construction.

In addition to the dates of origin of the figural decoration of the chapel, the shapes of the twin windows (as in Annweiler (built in 1429) and Dahn (15th century), the brickwork of the small entrance (as in Annweiler), the construction of the probably later large western entrance in 1512 and the discovery of historical colour versions from before 1500 all point to the conclusion that the chapel was built around the middle of the 15th century and is therefore older than previously assumed.

Since then, it has given many pilgrims and travellers the opportunity for inner contemplation. May many people continue to enjoy it for a long time to come and linger in silent prayer in the oldest listed house of God in Hauenstein.

Every year on the votive feast of ‘Maria Herzeleid’, the community makes a pilgrimage up to the chapel in a large candlelight procession, praying and singing.

Opening times