Mariä Heimsuchung

The church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in the years from 1963 to 1966. Known locally as a "sign from God" or as the "launching pad for souls", this church continues to cause a stir. The architect Johannes Jackel from Berlin had an instinct for symbols: his church of Our Lady was designed to form a large "M", which can best be recognised from the west. The ground plan of the church forms a Star of David, because the Virgin Mary was also of Jewish origin. The dominant materials of the church are concrete, slate from the Rhine Valley and glass. One of the largest glass windows in a church in this region allows the light to flood the chancel. It is reflected on the narrow east wall and thus symbolises the fact that the divine light has become visible in our world; it is reflected through us. When you enter the church, you first have to descend in order to experience the whole size of the church. The story which gave the church its name, the visit of Mary to her relative Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, (the Visitation of Mary), is depicted in the Lady chapel (artist Otto Habel).

• Two monumental red triptychs by Wiesbaden painter Otto Ritschl (1885-1976) in the chancel - on loan to the church