On the road on the “Landau loop”

Getting Europe on track

As part of the European model project Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles, the St. Jakobusgesellschaft Rheinlandpfalz-Saarland e.V. offered a pilgrimage hike on a section of the southern route of the Way of St. James pilgrims on the so-called “Landau Loop” on May 9, 2026

The initiator of the pilgrimage was Karl Unold from the “Regionalgruppe Vorder- und Südpfalz” of the St. Jakobusgesellschaft Rheinlandpfalz-Saarland, who, as a convinced European, has been a committed supporter of the European model project in the Vorderpfalz for many years. He had invited the project leader Peter Michael Lupp from Saarland to the hike to provide the pilgrimage group with inspiration and information on the idea and vision of the “Starry Path”.

The destinations on the approx. 10 km route were reference points of medieval building culture, which were recorded as part of the Starry Path/Chemin des étoiles model project in Landau and the surrounding area and decorated with a scallop shell stone - in some cases also with information signs. The so-called “Landau Loop” officially leads to 7 selected reference points.

The pilgrimage began in the cloister of the former Augustinian monastery church (14th/15th century). Here, the new information board for the Starry Path was presented for the first time and symbolically inaugurated by the pilgrimage group.

On the road as a peace pilgrim

The pilgrimage was all about European values and was particularly dedicated to the topic of peace. The welcoming speech by Karl Unold and Peter Michael Lupp once again focused on the idea of being a pilgrim for peace in Europe. From the monastery church, the route led through the picturesque town center of Landau with stops at the former St. Catherine’s Chapel (14th century), the former Augustinian canons’ collegiate church “Unserer Lieben Frau” (14th/15th century) and the Haus zum Maulbeerbau (origin 13th century), whose sponsoring association gave the pilgrimage group an insight into the interior of the historic house. The highlight of the hike was the inauguration of the stone scallop shell and sign at the oldest church in the Palatinate in Wolmesheim. The former church of St. Mauritius was built in the 11th century. The nave dates from around 1040, the west tower from around 1095. In the substructure, you can admire stone sarcophagi with a herringbone pattern (11th century) and a Romanesque baptismal font. On the outer wall next to the entrance is a rare Romanesque arched window with a star-shaped surround. Rüdiger Schmitt and his wife from the church building association welcomed the group of pilgrims with a small reception. The extraordinary work of art by sculptor Luise Unger was also presented in the church.

We continued on to the chapel on the “Kleine Kalmit”, a vantage point with wonderful views of the landscape. Here there was a short break and inspiration for being a “peace pilgrim” in a turbulent world under the stars of Europe. Then return through the vineyards with a coffee break back to Landau.

Starting point of the hike: Catholic parish church Zum Heiligen Kreuz, Landau

Station 1: Former Augustinian monastery church
(14th/15th century). With cloister, mural pilgrimage coronation “crowned donor” by St. James (14th century), wall paintings (15th century).

Station 2: Old Catholic Church, Landau
Former St. Catherine’s Chapel, wall paintings (14th century)