Gnadenkapelle und Schwarze Madonna

When you enter the church of Einsiedeln Monastery, you are just opposite the Chapel of Mercy made of black marble. It rises in the place where St. Meinrad lived. Built in the 1st century as the "chapel of the hermits", it is said to have been consecrated by angels, according to legend. In the course of time, the figure of Mary, the Mother of God, developed into an increasingly strong point of attraction. After a fire, today's late Gothic miraculous image of Our Lady of Einsiedeln came to the chapel in the 15th century. Over the centuries, dust and soot from candles, oil lamps and incense blackened the lime wood figure. In 1803, the face and hands were finally painted over with black paint.

Magnificent dresses

Very early on, Mary and the Child Jesus were given a drape that left only their faces and hands free. Today they have a respectable wardrobe with magnificent dresses and regalia. They are dressed differently depending on the festival.

The Chapel of Grace

The Chapel of Mercy burned several times and was also destroyed during the French Revolution. However, the most valuable parts could be saved from the marauding soldiers. This is also the case with the Black Madonna. The chapel was rebuilt in the classicist style from 1815 to 1817 with demolition material. Since then, it has presented itself in its current form.