Although today, apart from a church built in the 1500s, the site mostly consists of ruins, it is still a very popular location. What makes Hemmaberg attractive for modern day visitors? It has an overall tranquil atmosphere, for sure, but definitely it’s the mystic Rosaliengrotte, the cave with the sculpture of Rosalia, and its miraculous
healing spring which magnetizes the people who are thirsty for not just fresh water but also miracles.
After the closure of the cave in 2014, the surrounding communities did everything they could in order to reopen the cave. Associations, companies and private individuals contributed with generous donations, and with the support of Geopark an almost six year long renovation began. As part of the extensive work, to protect the 40 meter high rock above the path to the grotto, around 100 anchors were glued into the stone up to eight meters deep. The staircase was also renewed with railings, along with new steps to enter the cave. The spring was also given a new, carefully carved, two armed wooden channel. Now it’s finally open again and you can now test for yourself the power of the magical spring.
the surrounding communities did everything they could in order to reopen the cave
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In 2014 after a series of heavy rains, the boulders of Rosalia cave came loose and a massive rock fall made it too dangerous to visit. The cave with its small chapel is the lower part of a huge religious complex called Hemmaberg, a thousand year old pilgrimage destination with incredible attractivity. It was first a cult place on the holy mountain. We know for sure about the Celts who came to this area worshipping their (supposedly) female deity, Iouenat, whose name is still visible on a carved stone. Then, from the early Christian time, churches, chapels and residential buildings were erected on the plateau. One of the most interesting buildings is a pilgrim house which had its own elaborate floor and wall heating system - to make sure that not just the spiritual but also the physical needs of the pilgrims were well taken care of.
SLOVENIA-AUSTRIA / Geopark Karavanke
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Everyday miracles
