Heiligkreuzkapelle Hechingen, Chapel in Hechingen, Germany
The Heiligkreuzkapelle is a small Gothic chapel on the southern edge of Hechingen, standing next to the town's cemetery. It has pointed windows, a steep roof, and stone walls that follow the typical lines of Gothic construction.
The Heiligkreuzkapelle was founded in 1403 by Friedrich XII, Count of Zollern. It was built in connection with a local legend about a servant who shot at a crucifix and was executed for the act.
The chapel sits at the edge of Hechingen's cemetery and today also serves as a gathering place known as the Heiligkreuzcafé, where people meet to talk and rest. A large outdoor terrace lets visitors sit outside among the old stone walls, making it a space used both for reflection and for everyday social life.
The chapel is on the southern side of Hechingen town and easy to reach on foot. The outdoor area can be visited at any time, while access to the interior depends on when the café is open.
The legend behind the chapel's founding was later recorded in the Malleus Maleficarum, a well-known book from 1487. In 1729, the story was depicted on painted panels that are still associated with the chapel today.
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