St. Georg Walldürn

Walldürn's history began with its mention in the Lorsch Codex in 794. A parish was first recorded in 1248, with the region having been evangelized by monks from Amorbach Abbey since the 8th century. The patronage rights shifted between Amorbach Abbey, the Diocese of Würzburg, and the Archdiocese of Mainz, until a resolution was reached in 1656 through an exchange of parishes. Around 1330, the “Miracle of the Holy Blood of Walldürn” is said to have occurred, forming the basis for the later pilgrimage. Pope Eugene IV confirmed the miracle in 1445, which boosted pilgrim numbers and necessitated an enlargement of the church in 1497. After a decline in pilgrimage during the Reformation, it experienced a revival around 1600, leading to a reconstruction in 1626. Following the Thirty Years' War, pilgrimage flourished again, and the current basilica was built between 1698 and 1728. In 1787, the rural chapter of Walldürn was established, later becoming a deanery. As part of diocesan reorganization, Walldürn became part of the Archdiocese of Freiburg in 1821/27. Pope John XXIII elevated the church to a minor basilica in 1962. Since 2007, the parish and pilgrimage have been cared for by the Franciscan Friars Minor.

The Pilgrimage Basilica of St. George is located in the town of Walldürn in the Neckar-Odenwald district, a region in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The church is a prominent structure within the town's landscape.

Today, the basilica presents itself as an imposing red sandstone structure with a transept and a three-sided closed choir, flanked by two towers crowned with lanterns. The lower levels of the north tower date back to around 1330, with the upper parts belonging to the late Gothic construction of 1497. An elaborate portal by Zacharias Juncker the Elder, originally created for a chapel of the Blood Altar added in 1623, now leads into the northern transept. The western main portal by Johannes Weydt from 1723 displays the coat of arms of Pope John XXIII and that of the builder, Archbishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn, above which is a depiction of Archangel Michael. The basilica remains an active pilgrimage site and a significant cultural monument.

• Walldürn Castle (Castle, approx. 114 m away)
• Bettendorfer Hof (Manor and Estate House, approx. 238 m away)
• Roman Watchtower 7/35 (Ancient Buildings, approx. 1389 m away)
• Roman Bath Walldürn (Ancient Buildings, approx. 1490 m away)