Kapelle Zur Not Gottes, Chapel in Auerbach, Germany

The Kapelle Zur Not Gottes is a plain rectangular granite hall church built in 1958–1960 by the Brüder vom Gemeinsamen Leben to plans by architect Schatz, standing on the choir foundations of the medieval pilgrimage church. It has a west-facing hipped roof, a gabled dormer holding a bell, rectangular side windows and a west entrance reached by an open stair. The excavated wall remains of the earlier chapel lie in front of it.

The chapel was built in the first half of the 13th century as a pilgrimage church and once housed a sacred image of Christ praying at the Mount of Olives. Over the centuries it became an important religious destination for travelers from surrounding regions.

The name "Zur Not Gottes" appears in records from the mid-15th century, replacing the older name "Zu den Einsiedeln" after a devotional image of Christ's agony on the Mount of Olives was set up. Since 1896 the Not-Gottes-Fest has been held at the old pilgrimage site, and today an open-air ecumenical service takes place here every Ascension Day, led by Auerbach's Catholic and Protestant congregations.

The hilltop location requires comfortable walking shoes and rewards visitors with views of the surrounding landscape. Access to the chapel can vary depending on the season and special events, so it is wise to check ahead.

A spring called the Noth-Gottes-Brunnen flows near the chapel and made this location a water sanctuary for medieval pilgrims. This link between sacred water and the chapel drew people seeking healing across centuries.