The Wernerkapelle, which used to be a
frequently visited church of pilgrimage,
is still one of the most beautiful buildings
gothic architecture has to offer along the
whole of the Rhine - even though it now
stands in ruins.
There is a gruesome medival legend
connected with the chapel.
Centuries ago, close to Bacharach a
passer-by found the remains of a
young boy called Werner who had
been horribly butchered.
The corpse did not smell of rotting flesh,
but had the sweet scent of violets.
The place where the boy's desecrated body
was found was flooded with a bright light and
his body had not been disturbed by wild
animals. At least that's how the legend goes.
In those days witches were burned at the
stake and Jews were persecuted - and the
Jews were blamed for his murder.
The people wanted the young Werner to be
made a saint.
However, the Vatican in Rome refused to
officially beatify him. In spite of this,
the town built a chapel in Werner's honor atop
his grave. It took around 150 years to
build the Wernerkapelle - from around
1287 to 1430. It was destroyed in
1689 when the French attacked Castle
Stahleck and rubble rained down
on the chapel - which had not previously
been damaged.
