Oberellen - Vacha

beautiful view towards Vacha

Thuringian Forest

Once at the top, we encounter a large forest that we do not leave until shortly before Vacha. This high path is also known under the historical name «Hohe Strazza». We pass the Lehnhaus on the right, where a signpost with the yellow triangle points to the shelter at Grusberg near Vitzeroda. We leave the route of the Yellow Triangle, go down to the left and at the next crossroads turn left again. At another shelter, we meet the Lullus path.

clear signpost

We now follow the red cross and the shell and reach Oberzella. Upon arriving in the town center, we first turn left and then right again. We leave the village via the cycle path towards Vacha, which is also called Gedächtnisweg and marks the inner-German border. We reach the destination via the stone bridge. In Vacha itself, the monastery church can be the place for a rest stop. From there, the Servite monk Hermann Künig of Vacha once set off, who gathered experiences on his long pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, which he recorded in the first German-language pilgrim guide of the Middle Ages. The corresponding booklet, the key to the church, a pilgrim stamp, and a list of accommodations are provided to the pilgrim at the Rhön bookstore.

Wünschensuhl

Note(s)

Along the historic trade route Via Regia today runs the Ecumenical Pilgrimage Route, bringing a very old east-west connection back to life. It is one of the European Cultural Routes that guide pilgrims toward Santiago de Compostela and connects to the Polish Jacob's Ways. Along the 466-kilometer route between Görlitz and Vacha, there is a unique network of voluntary Christian hostels in Germany. At intervals of daily stages, church communities, monasteries, meeting places, or private families offer the pilgrim accommodation for one night, which should be appreciated with a donation. The hostels are simply furnished, always equipped with mattresses, blankets, toilets, washbasins, and Bibles.

Vacha: Werra Bridge

In a lovingly designed pilgrim guide, the pilgrim finds all addresses, excellent maps, and many historical and current pieces of information about the places along the route. The pilgrim guide includes a pass that is recognized in Santiago as proof of the distance traveled in Central Germany. Stamps from the hostels and churches can be collected therein.

See also

See also: www.oekumenischer-pilgerweg.de