The Mary Fountain, Aachen, Germany
The Mary Fountain - 1650
During the Middle Ages it was customary to erect Marian wayside shrines close to springs or wells which had proven to have healing power. On one hand this happened in order to teach the people that indeed their prayers are heard and on the other hand to avoid idolatry. Following are some examples from various countries. The magistrate of the city of Aachen, Germany, erected the ‘Mary Fountain’ or "Mariabrunn" in 1650 with three openings giving way to sulfur water. Legend has it that in 1644 a girl found a parchment with a painting of the Immaculate Conception near to the Triberg Spring in Germany. Many sick people, especially those suffering from ailments of the eye were cured from its waters. In gratitude a wayside shrine and at at a later date a church were built.
Click for Money Saving offers on quality garden statuary and Garden Fountains in the USA, Guaranteed!
Many examples of such holy shrines have been erected over the centuries. The story of Mariabrunn in Vienna relates that Blessed Gisela, a sister of Henry II, found a statue of virgin Mary, made from linden wood in a well. In 1477, vandals threw this religious statue back in the well and it took until 1490 before it was recovered and placed in a little chapel dedicated to Mary’s honor.
In Westroosebeke, Belgium, a shrine dedicated to Our Lady in 1400 AD is famous for its fountain water, which is especially effective for the cure of eyes.
France too has it's Mary Fountains: Notre Dame de la Fontaine Sainte and Notre Dame de Marceille from 1010 AD. A plaque at the fountain reads: Mille mali species Virgo levavit aqua (This Virgin has relieved thousands of ailments through this water). In 1133 a spring was discovered in Font Nomen upon which a church was built.
In Poczajow, Poland, Mary appeared to a hermit. A spring developed at the very spot where she stood. In 1559 a Greek bishop enthroned a painting from Constantinople at the site and in 1648 a church was built there.
In Russia two pictures of Our Lady have been found in Surbegi (1530) and in Kiev (1500); both have been rescued from the waters of a spring.
Nuestra Seņora de la Fuencisla, Spain, was found in 1019. In the 13th century Nuestra Seņora de la Franquerra, Spain, was found on a rock next to a healing spring.
In Guacare, Venezuela, Our Lady of Tomoroto appeared to an Indian chief by a spring requesting that he and his people would be baptized. The people came with burning torches to the spring and washed themselves in the water.
In the 13th century devotion started at a spring in Matarieh by Cairo where the Holy Family is assumed to have stayed while on their flight to Egypt.
Click for Money Saving offers on quality garden statuary and Garden Fountains in the USA, Guaranteed!