Want to get some air this weekend? Direction Hohàtzene, Hohatzenheim, not far from Hochfelden, in the Pays de la Zorn. There was a regrouping of the municipalities in 2016, Hohatzenheim now depends on Wingersheim les Quatre Vents.
But Hohatzenheim has been known in Alsace as an important place of pilgrimage since the 11th century, slightly overhanging the surrounding area. The pilgrimage had been dedicated since the 11th century to the Sorrowful Virgin, whom the very beautiful 15th century pieta visible in the church of Hohatzenheim honors perfectly. You can stop at Wingersheim and walk up to the church of Saints Peter and Paul, take a tour through the fields, stroll in the park, admire the superb view towards the Kochersberg, towards Strasbourg.
Imagine that where you are standing, the Romans were already there, having built one of their temples here. And you will stop in front of the wooden porch of the small but pretty 12th century church. There you will see on the column to the right of the entrance gate die Deifelskràlle, the devil’s claws.
Five long, deep scratches dug into the sandstone. They actually have nothing to do with the devil. It is actually the traces left for centuries by the peasants who came to sharpen and have their tools blessed at the same time. And yes, contact with the walls of a sacred building made one sacred.
Sounds logical, right? And so, since by contact, the tools touched the earth and the crops, in the same logic, it made everything a bit sacred. So don’t be fooled, no devil around here. But plates. The other important thing in this church is the profusion of plaques thanking the painful Pieta for letting a loved one return from the war, alive or only injured, the grateful families donated money and persuaded of the Pieta’s intercession , had a plaque established. The fervor around this place was impressive. Share this with your loved ones by strolling in and around Hohatzenheim this weekend!