ARCHITECT: Balthasar Neumann (1687-1753) German architect of the late Baroque and Rococo. Built the Residenz in Würzburg between 1719-50, palace of the prince bishops of Würzburg (the bishop was both ecclesiastical and secular authority of the region). His early work was guided by the French architect Germain Boffrond 1667-1754).
DEDICATION: The pilgrimage church marks the site of a vision of the Vierzehnheiligen, fourteen Nothelfer, or Auxiliary Saints, in adoration before the Christ Child. Built between 1743-72, Vierzehnheiligen is a prime example of Catholic devotion to intercessor saints, a practice repudiated by the Protestant Reformers.
VH 1. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. View from the distance. The site is away from cities and independent of any village. (Photo: V. Raguin)
VH 2. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Undulating facade flanked by bell towers with onion domes and steeples. . (Photo: V. Raguin)
VH 3. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Undulating facade flanked by bell towers with onion domes and steeples. Statues silhouetted against sky. (Photo: Dan Hill)
VH 4. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Fluid, organic plan typical of the Rococo. Plan is based on seven interlocking or adjacent ellipses.
VH 5. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Assumption of the Virgin. Columns painted to resemble pink marbles (faux finish) (Photo: Dan Hill)
VH 6. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. High altar, painted vault over image of the Assumption of the Virgin. (Photo: Dan Hill)
VH 7. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Painted vault over transept. (Photo: Dan Hill)
VH 8. Hand painted lithograph of the Vierzehnheiligen. Printed in Germany,
mid 19th century. Purchased Maine 1995, very probably first owned by a
German Catholic immigrant to the Midwest. Druck Verlag u. Eigenthum v.
Ed. Gust. May Frankfurt a M. 427 (print, publication and copyright by Edward
Gustav May, Frankfurt am Main) Die 14. Hl. Nothhelfer, Les 14 Aides au
Besoin, The 14 helpers in distr, Los 14 ayudadores en la necesidat. St.
Pantaleon, St Dyonysius,. St Eustachius, St Blasius, St Achatius, St. Erasmus,
St. Georg, St. Barbara, St. Katharina, St. Cyriacus, St. Vitus, St. Margaretha,
St. Christoph.
Saints (Clockwise in print)
1. Christopher (carrying Christ Child): Patron saint of travelers.
For more detail about Christopher, click here.
2. Vitus (crosier and monstance) against nervous disorders (St.
Vitus dance)
3. Giles (monastic dress and deer): invoked for diseases of the
mind
4. Pantaleon (bishop with book and cock): invoked against tuberculosis
5. Denis (holding his head): invoked against demonic possession
6. Margaret (dragon): invoked for aid in childbirth. St. Margaret
of Antioch was believed to have been swallowed by a dragon sent by Satan,
but when she made the sign of the cross, its belly split and she emerged
unscathed
7. Barbara (Eucharist and sword): invoked against lightening
and sudden death
8. Catherine (wheel and book): patron saint of students, lawyers.
For more detail about Catherine, click here.
9. Erasmus (bishop’s robes) invoked against stomach disorders
(he was martyred by disemboweling)
10. Achatius (thorns in head): invoked against headaches
11. Blaise (two candles): diseases of the throat
12. Eustace (stag with cross between antlers): invoked against
fire (he was martyred by burning), also patron saint of Hunters
13. Cyriacus (deacon’s vestments): invoked against diseases of
the eye
14. George (slaying dragon): against infectious diseases
VH 9. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Interior looking towards west.
VH 10. Pilgrimage Church of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72. Interior looking towards east. In the center the shrine to the 14 saints.
VH 11. St. Christopher, detail of the shrine of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72.
VH
12. St. Catherine, detail of the shrine of the Vierzehnheiligen, 1743-72.