Autobahnkapelle St. Gallus, Highway chapel on Winterberg near Leutkirch im Allgäu, Germany
Autobahnkapelle St. Gallus is a small circular chapel located at the Winterberg rest area on the A96 motorway. Its wooden roof features eight radiating beams arranged like a star, supported above plastered walls that form the building's simple enclosure.
The chapel was built between 1998 and 2000, opening to the public in 2000 as the result of a support association founded in 1997. The creators wanted to provide a spiritual pause point for travelers journeying along the motorway corridor.
The chapel serves travelers as a place to pause during their journey on the motorway. Its presence on a busy highway shows that moments of reflection can exist even in modern, fast-paced settings.
The chapel is accessible from the Winterberg rest area and remains open daily from early morning to evening year-round. Wear sturdy shoes for the walk, as the path to the entrance includes sloped sections that can become slippery when wet.
The interior contains an altar block carved from granite that was brought from Ireland specifically for this chapel. This choice connects the modern building to the ancient Christian heritage of the region through Irish monastic traditions.
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