Siechenkapelle, church building in Essen, Germany
The Siechenkapelle is a small church in Essen-Rüttenscheid built between 1426 and 1445. The building has a rectangular shape with a pitched roof, plastered stone walls, and a small bell, and was originally part of a complex that cared for people with leprosy.
The chapel was built in the mid-15th century to provide spiritual support for people with leprosy and other serious illnesses. After centuries of use, the building suffered severe damage in World War II but was rebuilt between 1950 and 1951 by the local Catholic community.
The name Siechenkapelle speaks to its original role as a prayer place for people with leprosy and severe illnesses. Today, the plain stone walls and simple windows still show how the community once cared for its most vulnerable members.
The chapel can be reached on foot through the streets of Rüttenscheid, located near walking routes and green spaces. The interior is small and simple with few benches and soft lighting, making it best suited for quiet, brief visits.
A small bronze bell from 1738 still hangs in the chapel and was rehung after its repair in 2012. The new altar was assembled from rubble and destroyed objects after World War II to connect old traditions with new art.
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