Kapelle Schwarze Madonna, Religious chapel in Remagen, Germany.
Kapelle Schwarze Madonna is an open-air chapel built along the Rhine River just south of Remagen's center, housing a clay Madonna figure and memorial plaques behind grid screens. The structure features a crown-of-thorns design at its top and allows people to approach the sculpture from multiple angles.
The chapel was built in 1987 on the grounds of a former Allied prisoner-of-war camp where over 250,000 German soldiers were held after World War II ended. This location marked one of the largest military imprisonment sites in postwar Europe.
The black Madonna statue was created by Professor Adolf Wamper from clay while he was held prisoner at the camp. It serves as a visible symbol of hope that visitors encounter when they enter the chapel.
The chapel is accessible year-round and sits near the riverbank, making it easy to visit while walking along the Rhine. The open-air structure means you can pause to reflect at any time without worrying about entry fees or closing hours.
The chapel's open design deliberately lets wind and rain pass through its interior, recreating the harsh conditions prisoners endured in spring 1945. This architectural choice connects visitors physically to what those held here experienced.
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