Kapelle zur hilligen Seele, Religious chapel in Borchen, Germany.
Kapelle zur hilligen Seele is a stone structure in Borchen featuring a Romanesque vault ceiling in the choir section and surrounded by mature trees. The building continues to serve as an active place for weddings, baptisms, and religious ceremonies.
The building was constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries and ranks among Westphalia's oldest cross shrines. Its architectural design and archaeological findings reveal its importance as an early pilgrimage destination.
The chapel serves as a place of worship with a distinctive history tied to its cross relic. Visitors can see today a replica of the medieval cross created after the 1972 theft, reflecting how the community maintained its religious purpose.
The chapel sits along the Jakobsweg pilgrimage route running between Paderborn and Marsberg, making it easy to locate. Visitors can approach on foot, and the surrounding trees provide shelter whatever the weather.
After the 1972 theft of the original cross containing Crusade-era relics, Cardinal Degenhardt of Paderborn obtained a new cross particle from Rome to restore the shrine. This action demonstrated a commitment to keeping the sanctuary alive despite the loss.
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