Wayside Shrines in Liechtenstein

Wayside shrines are religious monuments that often stand along public paths or roads. They are usually dedicated to a saint whose protection and intercession the faithful pray for. One such wayside shrine, which is clearly visible from the road, is the "Barbara-Kappile" (face value: CHF 1.00) near the quarry in Liechtenstein's northernmost municipality of Ruggell.

The Liechtenstein sculptor and master stonemason Eckhard Wollwage designed the monument in the shape of a small chapel. It contains a figure of St Barbara, the patron saint of miners. An inscription invokes her blessing when working on rock.

Small grottoes and wayside shrines are often found in tunnels and at tunnel entrances. St Barbara has been the patron saint of miners and tunnel builders for centuries. The Christian martyr stands for resilience and steadfastness and is a reminder of the dangers lurking inside a mountain. She herself is said to have escaped from a tower in which her pagan father had locked her up because of her faith. According to the legend, her escape led her through a dangerous crevice in the rock.