black Madonna Einsiedeln

With the recent discussions and photos, I would like to add a picture of the so-called "Black Madonna" of Einsiedeln, Switzerland. This is a scan from a postcard, not my own photo. The original statue was made in 1465, but destroyed by a fire. However, later on, another statue was found and dated 1150, and declared as the original. The Black Madonna has become very famous and a place of pilgrimage. Strange also the Tamil people living in Switzerland go for adoration to her (I have no idea why, as they are neither Catholics nor Christian), and also African Christians living in Europe, and of course many Europeans. It figures with the famous Madonna of Tchenstochau (Poland) among the most famous Virgin Mary figures in Europe. The Statue has several robes and several crowns which are being changed several times a year. I will add another photo under comments.The church of Einsiedeln is one of the most famous Barock cathedrals.Many people visit the Church and the Black Madonna from abroad as pilgrims. When French troops entered Switzerland on the 3rd May 1798, the statue was removed and buried in Haggenegg (Canton Schwyz) to save it from being stolen. Later on, it was transferred to Bludenz (Vorarlberg, Austria) to save it from stealing. In 1799 it was transferred back to Switzerland. It has a long and fascinating history, but the details would blast this forum. Here is a link to a short historical overview:http://www.sacred-destinations.com/switzerland/einsiedeln

Comments

Eva Baby January 6, 2013 at 10:50am

this is another robe and another crown.......
Eva Baby January 6, 2013 at 10:54am

another dress and crown
Akkie January 6, 2013 at 9:12pm

Yes,I have seen before, but cann't remember where! Perhaps Switzerland or in a book?
Toya January 6, 2013 at 11:13pm

She is very beautiful. The crowns and the clothing are made with devotion.
Eva Baby January 6, 2013 at 11:23pm

@Thank you Akkie and Toya. I went to see her several times in Einsiedeln (which is a place in the Swiss mountains actually, Canton Schwyz) and was really touched, although I am not catholic, I felt something magical about her.
SARAH CORBETT January 6, 2013 at 11:57pm

Other saints of a similar thread... I particularly like this one ;-). Sx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Sarah
Eva Baby January 7, 2013 at 9:22am

@Hi Sarah, this is interesting! I looked at the link, and read, that the Gipsies meet at Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer in the Camarque (Southern France), and I remembered that I had been there some 30 years ago when my first daughter was very small, and the city was full of Romans (gipsies)). That must have been the day when they had a ceremony for the Saint Sarah. It is so long ago, I had all forgotten, but looking at the link, it came back in my head. What I did not know, was that there was a Saint named Sarah!

This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Adorned Histories to add comments!

Join Adorned Histories

Gallery

black Madonna Einsiedeln

Comments

Request your copy of our newsletter.