The relics of the three Blessed Virgins
The Eichsel church stands way up on the Dinkelberg, overlooking Badisch Rheinfelden. It's such a wonderful lookout that it comes as no surprise that the site was already settled in Roman times. The church stands on what was once a pagan place of worship.
On the third Sunday in July this becomes the centre of the “Eichsler Umgang”, a traditional feast in honour of the three Blessed Virgins – Wibrandis, Kunigundis and Mechtundis. Young girls carry the feretories of the saints in a procession through the village that ends with a small feast. The saints statues can be found on the right hand side altar in the church.
According to legend the three Blessed Virgins were followers of Ursula, daughter of an English king, who undertook a pilgrimage to Rome in the fifth century. On their return journey the women were attacked near Cologne by Huns and were martyred. Wibrandis, Kunigundis and Mechtundis had interrupted their journey near Basle due to illness and died on the Dinkelberg. Their grave is reported to have been the site of numerous miracles.
Legend
The relics of the three Blessed Virgins, Eichsel
Am Maienplatz, 79618 Rheinfelden, Ortsverwaltung Eichsel, pho +49 (0) 76 23/45 12, www.rheinfelden.de
opening times :10h-17h , guided tour by prior inscription
access :car, bicycle
Ortsverwaltung Eichsel
Birkenweg 1
79618 Rheinfelden
pho +49 (0) 76 23/45 12
Mon: 15.30h-17.30h
Tue, Fri: 9h-11.30h
www.rheinfelden.de
Trips:
Cave with underground waterfall
Local history museum
Rheinfelden – 875 year old Zähringer City
Legend