Information board Wachenheim
Inauguration of the new information board for the European model project Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles at the medieval simultaneous church of St. George
Since 2019, the town of Wachenheim with its medieval cultural monuments has been integrated into the European model project “Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles”. The ceremonial inclusion took place in 2019 as part of the Wachenheim Magic Moments. As part of the model project, medieval monuments in the Greater Region along the sunken paths of the pilgrims of St. James are decorated with an information board and a stone scallop shell. The stone “contemporary witnesses” are a reminder of the origins of the pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, countless people have followed the cosmic signpost of the Milky Way towards Spain, thus shaping the spiritual roots of Europe.
Putting Europe - and its values - on the road is therefore the vision of the European model project “Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles” in the present and people at the medieval place of remembrance are invited to spread these values in a creative way.
Wachenheim an der Weinstraße is part of the catchment area of the so-called “Haardt Axis” and lies approx. 14 km along the signposted routes of the pilgrims of St. James on the Palatinate | Northern Route. From a cultural and historical point of view, it represents another alternative to the medieval route axes of the pilgrims from Worms towards Strasbourg in Alsace.
In addition to the medieval simultaneous church of St. George with the newly uncovered remains of medieval wall paintings and the adjacent “Ludwig Chapel”, the remains of the former town fortifications and the ruins of Wachtenburg Castle are also among the medieval cultural monuments that were recorded as part of the project in Wachenheim.
On site in Wachenheim, Christiane Wolf, Isabel Lübke and Gabriele Popp from the Wachenheim Starry Path discussion group, together with the mayor of Wachenheim, Torsten Bechtel, and Bernhard Webersinn from the Friends of the Old St. George’s Church Association, have shown great commitment to the Starry Path and its European guiding principle. On August 23, 2024, a new plaque was inaugurated at the medieval simultaneous church of St. George, which provides all the key information about the European model project. As part of the inauguration ceremony, Timo Jordan from the Wachtenburg support group was also presented with an information board and a stone shell, which will be attached to the Wachtenburg in the foreseeable future.
During the festive inauguration ceremony, the Wachenheim initiators once again welcomed the participation in the “Starry Path” and expressed the town’s full support for the European guiding principle of the model project. Local historian Bernhard Schnabel highlighted the historical background to the creation of the medieval cultural monuments and explained why pilgrims in particular sought their way along the Haardt in the Middle Ages and why Wachenheim was also demonstrably located on a pilgrimage route along the Haardt.
The Saarbrücken Regional Association is the sponsor of the large-scale regional model project and was represented at the ceremony by project manager Peter Michael Lupp, who gave a keynote speech:
The European model project primarily aims to demonstrate in a large region in the heart of Europe that central European values can also be creatively disseminated via a network of routes in which people are committed to cultural heritage. This is precisely the deeper meaning of a European cultural route: to link landscapes, cultural diversity and significant places of remembrance with central questions of our society in the present. Memories always take place in the present and can help us to shape the future. The cultural heritage of the Middle Ages in particular offers a wealth of messages that provide opportunities for exciting new interpretations. The spiritual background of a medieval pilgrimage also offers aspects of a dialog between the times. Setting off into foreign lands and pausing at holy places has always inspired spiritual processes in the development of mankind. Then as now, being on the road always offers the opportunity for self-knowledge and a lively introspection in the dialog of humanistic world history. The idea of the Starry Path is aimed at this courage to set out on new paths and the courage of spirit required to do so. We are convinced that the people involved in this project recognize the tasks of the time and want to make an important contribution to cultural tradition, which holds a message about our humanistic, European values - in the mirror of their cultural heritage. Therein lies the key and the model character of this large regional project.
Peter Michael Lupp with a big thank you to all those who have shown great commitment in Wachenheim so far
Using the website www.sternenweg.net, all recorded items can be called up with a brief description in the project room. These gems also include the medieval cultural monuments of Wachenheim.
The guiding principles and visions of this project fit perfectly with the idea of the Wachenheimer Magic Moments. Together, we want to encourage people to break new ground and follow a star that gives this world peace and a future. We are very much looking forward to the exchange and the synergies that the two initiatives will trigger among our citizens and the many guests. Out of conviction, we want to continue to support the European model project “Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles” and its European vision - together with the local people.
Isabel Lübke, Gabriele Popp and Christiane Wolf from the Wachenheimer Magic Moments discussion group
I am delighted that Wachenheim, with its medieval cultural monuments, is part of this European model project. We are very proud of our medieval cultural monuments in Wachenheim, which can be seen in a whole new light thanks to the Starry Path. d It is therefore very important to us to spread the European guiding principle as part of our cultural and tourist activities in Wachenheim!
Mayor of the town of Wachenheim Torsten Bechtel
“Godmothers” on site
Isabel Lübke, Gabriele Popp, Christiane Wolf from the Wachenheimer Magic Moments discussion group
wachenheimersternstunden@web.de
Contact
Tourist Info Wachenheim
Weinstraße 15
67157 Wachenheim
Phone +49 6322 9580-801
touristinfo@vg-wachenheim.de