Mariastein (Switzerland) - Landskron ruins (France)

We parked near the church of Mariastein and started our walk from there. The walk is pleasant with beautiful sceneries. It was fun crossing (virtually) the borders between Switzerland and France before reaching Landskron castle. We crossed the borders again from another point while making the loop. We finished our walk by a visit to the beautiful church and monastery of Mariastein where you will meet people from different countries. Below info are from the internet.


MARIASTEIN (SWITZERLAND)

The Mercy Chapel Maria im Stein, which lies 59 steps below the monastery church in a cave, was built in the 15th century and has since attracted pilgrims, who worship Mother Mary here as a smiling Madonna. Legend has it that the chapel was built on the spot where a child miraculously survived a rock fall. The monastery was added later: in 1648 the Benedictine order moved from Beinwil and built a monastery and church. Today the classicist main facade made of Jurassic limestone with standing stone ornaments dominates the appearance of the church. In the course of the Kulturkampf, the Mariastein monastery was abolished by referendum in 1874, and the monks moved to Delle in France. With another referendum almost 100 years later, the monastery was officially restored. The architecturally interesting buildings have recently been extensively restored and are in excellent condition. Today the monastery is run by an active Benedictine fraternity that welcomes pilgrims as well as secular guests. Hikers will find historical restaurants both in the monastery itself and in the vicinity of the monastery, which have accommodated and catered for pilgrims for centuries and therefore exude the unique atmosphere of a place of pilgrimage.

LANDSKRON CASTLE ( FRANCE)

Dominating the entire valley and the village of Leymen, it was constructed in 1297 to control the Sundgau and the city of Basel. Over the centuries, it was extended and altered, before being restructured by Vauban in 1665. Destroyed by the Austrians and Bavarians in 1813, today all that is left is the keep, round towers, the remains of the chapel, a well, and sculptures dating from the Renaissance period.