Path of Silence - (Schwalenberg to Corvey) - ecumenical pilgrimage route

The starting point of the ecumenical pilgrimage is the historical city center of Schwalenberg, dominated by the castle of the same name, which is clearly visible from afar. But the narrow alleys and the many richly decorated half-timbered houses also shape the appearance of the small town.

The path first leads you in a loop along the Schwalenberg city water. Here you can not only listen to the gentle splashing of the water, but it is also worth taking a closer look: Due to the topography of the castle hill and the slight gradient of the stream, an optical illusion is created, as if the water were flowing uphill in Schwalenberg.

Before continuing on your way, you can visit the Evangelical-Reformed Church in Schwalenberg. Inside the church, the Emmaus altarpiece in the choir is worth seeing. It shows the risen Christ with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus and is a fitting introduction to the pilgrimage path - as it is not only about the distance traveled, but also about an inner journey.

Through the Schwalenberg forest, which has been significantly thinned by the bark beetle in some places, revealing entirely new views, the path leads you down to the Steinbach, which is crossed over a few stepping stones. At the Westerberg (just before Kollerbeck), you are offered a wonderful panoramic view of the vast landscape. It is the ideal opportunity to take a short break, enjoy the view, and listen to the silence. Further on, you follow the castle trail, past the striking Oldenburg, to the former Benedictine Abbey in Marienmünster. The baroque monastery complex has gained a special reputation as the "Monastery of Sounds": Not only are high-quality music recordings in the classical field produced here, but also numerous concerts and musical events are held. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to listen to the sounds of the historic Johann Patroclus Möller organ in the abbey church (now a Catholic parish church) during your visit. It holds the acoustic memory of Westphalia and is well known far beyond the region.

The second stage leads you from the Marienmünster Abbey first to Hungerberg. "Once you have managed to climb this difficult and steep path, you are satisfied and feel the peace and freedom. At this point, you are particularly close to heaven, you can breathe deeply," promises a meditation station next to the Hungerberg chapel. And indeed, if you climb the observation tower, the sky is within reach and the view extends to the Hermannsdenkmal, across the Steinheim Basin to the Ottensteiner Hochfläche and the Köterberg.

Once back down, the path leads through a beautiful avenue, past the Jewish cemetery and through the climatic health resort of Vörden. At the pilgrim crosses between Vörden and Eilversen or at the rest area in Eilversen itself, you can take another break and strengthen yourself for the rest of the way.

You then continue above the village of Bremerberg and through the Heiligengeisterholz forest area. You follow wide forest paths as well as narrow forest trails and can enjoy beautiful views repeatedly. In this section, you follow the historic monastery path and can already catch a glimpse of the Brenkhausen monastery complex and the village of the same name a few kilometers before the end of the second stage.
Today, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Germany has his headquarters in the Brenkhausen monastery complex. In the spirit of lived ecumenism and hand in hand with the Catholic parish community, they are reviving monastic life anew. You are warmly invited to immerse yourself in this world for a moment and learn about the spirituality of the Coptic Church.

The third stage leads from Brenkhausen initially up to the Räuschenberg nature reserve. From up here, you have a wonderful view of Brenkhausen and the Weser Uplands. The sunny slopes of the Räuschenberg are traditionally grazed by goats. While in spring there is a colorful display of flowers to admire, in summer oregano and thyme provide a Mediterranean flair with their aromatic scent.

Past the small airfield on the Räuschenberg and through a forest area, you are now getting closer to the city of Höxter. With the increasing proximity to the city, the sounds of everyday life will increasingly determine your perception on the further path. Perhaps it is an opportunity to consciously listen and imagine how the ambient sounds of your own world frame your experience.

The pilgrimage path now leads right through the timber-framed town of Höxter. From a distance, the two towers of the Kilianikirche are already recognizable. The curious thing: The two towers are not only of different heights, but also have two different owners. While the smaller tower is maintained by the city, the taller tower falls under the responsibility of the Protestant parish community.

Past the historic town hall, you then arrive at the banks of the Weser, which you will now follow to Corvey. Outwardly simple, imposing, and fortified. Inwardly sublime, majestic, and dignified. This is how the westwork of Corvey appears, which with its more than 1,200-year history is unparalleled in Europe. In June 2014, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the old monastery district. In addition to the Carolingian westwork, the baroque castle complex, the cloister, the abbots' gallery, and the magnificent imperial hall are worth seeing. In the Princely Library, where the poet Hoffmann von Fallersleben once worked as a librarian, almost 75,000 volumes have found their home.

If you have now truly developed a taste for pilgrimage, you can follow the Way of St. James from Corvey towards Paderborn and further on to Spain. Embark on your journey!