Information board in Kleinfischlingen
The integration of the medieval Kleinfischlingen church into the European model project “Starry Path/
The event was organized by the Protestant church community Im Gäu. Pastor Wedler-Krüger dealt with the central idea and organized a very special service in which young people also had their say in order to express their vision of a peaceful Europe in a spiritual context (see programme and intercessions).
“We want to use our opportunities to send a strong signal for the dissemination of the European values on which this model project is based in our homeland. Let us inaugurate this path of reflection and wonder together and celebrate the connection between an old pilgrimage tradition and a new Starry Path,” emphasized Pastor Weidler-Krüger, thanking the Saarbrücken Regional Association for initiating this project and all the people who actively support this idea.
Project manager Peter Michael Lupp presented the idea of the model project and the vision on which it is based as part of a pictorial presentation and emphasized the significance of the extraordinary medieval wall paintings in the church’s former choir tower.
Afterwards, the information board was unveiled and the guests were able to get an idea of the biblical message of the individual themes with the pastor’s expert explanation of the murals.
Information board and pilgrim’s stamp on which St. Christopher has been given a new face.
49°15'47.545N", 8°11'14.901 “E
Kleinfischlingen, Protestant parish church, originally St. Margareta. Substructure of the former choir tower from around 1400 with vaulted first floor and wall painting (St. Christopher)
In 1774, the medieval village church of Kleinfischlingen was given a new nave and a baroque tower. The substructure with the square, cross-ribbed vaulted choir room has been preserved from the tower built in 1400. In 1968-1973, extensive remains of the fresco paintings were uncovered, which had been whitewashed over during the Reformation. Impressive depictions of biblical scenes can be seen in the wall and ceiling paintings, which were created around 1500: The four evangelists with their symbols, blessed persons under the protective mantle of Mary, the birth of Christ, the Last Judgement with Jesus as world judge on the rainbow. Among the saints depicted, St. Christopher stands out as the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers: he is leaning on his staff with branches sprouting from its tip. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that looking at St. Christopher in the face of death would lead the soul directly to paradise without the judgment of the world. The vault keystone shows a slanted red jug, which can be interpreted as a reference to a blessing.
Discover what connects, on foot or by bike
Kleinfischlingen lies exactly between the Palatinate North and South Routes of the Way of St. James pilgrims. Go in search of traces and explore the medieval building culture in the surrounding area. For example, head south over the hill to Essingen, to the old Wendelinus Chapel with its frescoes in the choir, north to St. George’s Church in Großfischlingen and west to the former moated castle in Edesheim or, of course, east to Speyer with all its medieval treasures. Take advantage of the already existing and well-developed hiking trails.