Culture
Kevelaer
Pilgrimage town with a basilica, chapels and candles
Kevelaer at a glance
30 minby car
26.4 kmdistance
- Location
- Kevelaer (Germany)
- Address
- Kapellenplatz, 47623 Kevelaer
- Pilgrimage season
- 1 May to 1 November
- Churches
- Gnadenkapelle, Kerzenkapelle and Marienbasilika
- Services
- in season daily at 10:00, 15:00 and 18:00
A place of pilgrimage since 1642
Kevelaer, just across the German border, has been a place of pilgrimage since 1642 and is one of the most important Marian shrines in Germany. It began with Hendrick Busman, who heard a voice three times at Christmas 1641; on 31 May 1642 the miraculous image of Mary was given a place in a small wayside shrine.
That image still stands on the Kapellenplatz, in the six-sided Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of Grace) from 1654. The chapel was only decorated inside and out from 1888 onwards. In 1987 Pope John Paul II came to Kevelaer.
The Marienbasilika
On the Kapellenplatz stands the Marienbasilika, built from 1858 to 1864 to plans by Vincenz Statz. The tower of more than 90 metres was completed later, and in 1923 the church was given the title of papal basilica.
The paintwork inside is by Friedrich Stummel: pillars and arches in red, blue and gold beneath a blue vault with stars. During the pilgrimage season, from 1 May to 1 November, the Pilgeramt (pilgrims' Mass) is held here daily at 10:00 and the Pilgerandacht (pilgrims' devotion) at 15:00.
About the basilica on wallfahrt-kevelaer.de (opens in a new tab)
The Kerzenkapelle
The oldest pilgrimage church in Kevelaer is the Kerzenkapelle (Candle Chapel), built from 1643 to 1645 and consecrated in 1649. During the pilgrimage season more than 300 candles from pilgrim groups burn here, and at 18:00 the Marienlob closes the day.
At Hauptstraße 18 is the Niederrheinisches Museum Kevelaer, with a historic classroom and an old grocer's shop, among other things. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00.
About the Kerzenkapelle on wallfahrt-kevelaer.de (opens in a new tab)
Tip from reception
Come between 1 May and 1 November: that is the pilgrimage season, with the Pilgerandacht in the basilica at 15:00 and the Marienlob in the Kerzenkapelle at 18:00. During Advent the Krippenmarkt (nativity market) fills the Kapellenplatz and the streets around it, in 2026 from 27 November to 20 December.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Pilgrimage seasonFrom 1 May to 1 November, with services daily at 10:00, 15:00 and 18:00.
KapellenplatzThe Gnadenkapelle, Kerzenkapelle and Marienbasilika stand together around one square.
KrippenmarktIn 2026 from 27 November to 20 December, on the Luxemburger Platz, the Kapellenplatz and at the Forum Pax Christi.
MuseumNiederrheinisches Museum Kevelaer, Hauptstraße 18, Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 17:00.
Photos: Broederhugo (public domain); Mabit1 (CC BY-SA 4.0); NiederrheinMuseumKevelaer (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons; nativity scene Swastik Arora via Unsplash.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet across the border to Kevelaer, and back to your own wellness.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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30 minutes from the hotel you light a candle at the Kerzenkapelle, the oldest pilgrimage church in Kevelaer.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, saunas and wellness lounge are waiting, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Your room, wellness included
Six rooms, from the Comfort room to the Apartment. With every room you use the pool, saunas, steam room and lounge free of charge.
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Getting there
From the hotel it takes about:
Kapellenplatz, 47623 Kevelaer (Germany)
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000How far is Kevelaer from Horst?
Kevelaer is about a 30-minute drive from Parkhotel Horst, some 26 kilometres, just across the German border.
When is the Krippenmarkt in Kevelaer?
In 2026 from 27 November to 20 December. Monday to Thursday from 13:00 to 19:00, Friday until 20:00, Saturday from 11:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00.
When is the pilgrimage season in Kevelaer?
From 1 May to 1 November. Every day there is the Pilgeramt at 10:00 and the Pilgerandacht at 15:00 in the basilica, and the Marienlob at 18:00 in the Kerzenkapelle.
What is there to see in Kevelaer?
Around the Kapellenplatz, the Marienbasilika, the Gnadenkapelle with the miraculous image and the Kerzenkapelle. There is also the Solegarten St. Jakob, with a graduation tower and a barefoot path.
What is the Gnadenkapelle in Kevelaer?
A six-sided chapel from 1654 on the Kapellenplatz. It shelters the miraculous image of Mary that has been in Kevelaer since 31 May 1642.
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Photos of the cards: B. Hulshoff (CC BY-SA 4.0); Vincent van Zeijst (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photos: AnnikaManthey (CC BY-SA 4.0; also candles); RomkeHoekstra (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mabit1 (CC BY-SA 4.0; also Kerzenkapelle); via Wikimedia Commons.
After Kevelaer: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
Half an hour from the basilica, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with your own wellness under the same roof.