Gangolf’s Spring, Donnersberg Kreis,
Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
A cell has been been cut into the rhyolite conglomerate rock at the base of the mountain, the Donnersberg. (Between Kaiserslautern and Kirchheimbolanden). It is mentioned in old records as a monk’s or hermit’s cell or chapel (Cellula saxe = felsenzeller = rock cut cell) or sometimes as the "capella S. Gangolfi"
There is a spring just below the rock cut cell and the ancient road around the base of the Donnersberg runs right by the spring and cell. St. Gangolf is often associated with springs. The author quotes a local folktale;
Two children from Hahnweilerhof were hunting strawberries in the woods and became very thirsty. They sought out the spring near the old Hermit’s Cell and bent over it to drink. They saw a wonderful sight reflected in the water. An old man wearing a monk’s cowl and carrying a long pilgrim’s walking staff spoke to the children. "If the water tastes good, drink enough to satisfy yourselves. If it doesn’t taste good, run away as fast as you can."
It may be that the water tasted fine, but the children ran away from the old man. One turned back and saw that the hermit had stuck his staff into the water. It grew into as mighty beech tree, spreading over the spring like a protecting hand."
Donnersberg Jahrbuch 1993: Margit Diergarten. Also cited: Carl, Viktor: Pfaelzer Sagen; Bd 1 / 2 Neustadt/W. 1977. S. 336
(Sorry, no pictures yet. We will revisit it with our camera sometime this summer.)
Holy Well at Gangloff, Bad Kreuznach County, Rheinland-Pfalz. Germany (Southwest of Bad Kreuznach.)
2. The village was named after the saint and first mentioned as such in 1519. St. Gangolff was known and much honored in Germany from the `10th century. There was a no longer existing chapel dedicated to him on a hill near the parish church. At the foot of the hill, Rossberg, was a holy well, as is characteristic for St. Gangloff. There was formerly a Roman sanctuary to Mercury here, and before that a Germanic Woden cult site.
To find the well, follow the main road south of the village. Pass up the first two field lanes to the left and continue up hill. At a pine wood lot, there is another fainter field road entrance with a gate. Go into pine woods here and follow trail down to the brook and springs. There are two springs, emptying into the brook. They appear to have been encased at one time, and probably silted over by hill erosion. The area around the springs is being cleaned up, and small pools, fed by the springs and the brook, have been built.
Here is Janet wearing her "Wellies" at the wells.
To the east of the village, the north-south
Roman road crosses a low saddle between two higher hill masses.
This road can be followed for some kilometers and the views of
the Donnersberg to the east and the North Palatinate Hills are
wonderful.
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