Arnheider Kapelle, national heritage site
The Arnheider Kapelle is a small former church building in Breuberg with a rectangular floor plan and modest, simple design. The structure is made of mud bricks without metal reinforcement and is covered with traditional clay roof tiles, with the roof constructed using wooden pegs and joints rather than metal nails.
The chapel was likely built in the 8th century and is one of the few buildings in Germany made entirely of mud bricks without metal reinforcement. It has been protected as a historic monument since 1905, and has undergone restoration in recent decades, including roof reconstruction and examination of its original structure.
The chapel draws its name from its location near Arnheim. Local residents built it as a spiritual center for their community, and it served for centuries as a place for religious ceremonies and personal reflection.
The building sits on a farm in a rural setting surrounded by fields and trees. Visitors can view it from outside, but the structure itself is not publicly accessible as it remains in private use.
The building displays faded wall paintings inside depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, including his birth, the visit of the Wise Men, the crucifixion, and his burial. These remains help visitors imagine how the structure might have looked centuries ago when it served as a church.
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