St. Ida pilgrimage basilica in Herzfeld

As visitors approach the parish, they can see the high tower of this church in Herzfeld from afar. It houses the burial place of St. Ida, who settled in Herzfeld in 786 and built what is believed to be the first stone church east of the Rhine here. The current church is an imposing neo-Gothic reconstruction from 1901.

The foundation walls of the previous church, which were uncovered during excavations in 1975, can be found in the crypt. The golden reliquary containing the relics of Ida, who was canonized in 980, can also be viewed there. Valuable inventory pieces commemorate the saint, who came from the Franconian royal family and can be considered a niece of Charlemagne. She married Egbert, a Saxon duke. Ida and Egbert are considered to be the ancestors of the later Saxon emperors. At the beginning of the 11th century, an imperial princes' convention was held in Herzfeld, which underlines the importance of this village in the early history of Germany.

Guided tours are available on request.