Maria-Schnee-Kapelle, church building in Regensburg, Upper Palatinate, Germany
The Maria-Schnee-Kapelle is a small chapel in Regensburg with a simple baroque design featuring a modest tower and a high colored-glass window. The interior consists of a single room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, an altar from the late 18th century, and a collection of religious paintings and statues including representations of the Holy Family and angels.
The chapel was built in 1734 as part of an orphanage complex constructed in the early 1730s. In 1789, it was dedicated to Our Lady of Snow by Bishop Anton Freiherr von Schneid, marking a significant shift in its religious focus and resulting in its current name.
The chapel is named after a legend of Mary of the Snow, symbolizing purity and protection through a story of divine guidance. This name connects the building to a tradition shared across Europe, showing how communities preserve their spiritual stories and beliefs across generations.
The chapel is located in the eastern section of Regensburg's old town and is clearly marked on city maps. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town and remains a place where visitors can pause for quiet reflection, especially during scheduled services.
The chapel's ceiling features paintings representing the virtues of faith, hope, and love, created around 1898 and restored multiple times. These artworks provide insight into the religious ideals valued by the community of that era and are among the subtle details visitors often overlook.
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