St. Thérèse Chapel in Köglitz is a cultural and historical landmark in its own right and is also one of the chapels along the approximately 40-kilometre Chapel Cycling Tour between Tirschenreuth and Kemnath. A hiking tour leads from Schweißenreuth towards Köglitz; the remains of Waldeck Castle are also nearby. This offers different ways to plan a visit, with a focus on sacred architecture, cycling routes, a marked hiking trail or castle history.

St. Thérèse Chapel

Built in 2011, the chapel is dedicated to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Two small towers and a gleaming copper roof define its exterior. Inside is a life-size figure of Christ and the Stations of the Cross, designed by Irene Schleicher. A relic of Saint Thérèse is kept in the altar; relics of her parents, who were also canonized, are housed in the chapel wall. Its dedication, architectural form and fittings reveal different facets of this sacred building.

A report from 2019 noted that the patronal feast of St. Thérèse Chapel is held annually and that Karel Simandl travels there every year for it. Check current dates in advance if the patronal feast is part of your travel plans.

Cycling and Hiking

The Chapel Cycling Tour connects Tirschenreuth and Kemnath and is approximately 40 kilometres long. It can be ridden along two routes through the Steinwald or the Waldnaab Valley. St. Thérèse Chapel in Köglitz is one of the other chapels to discover along the way.

On the Kemnath-Waldeck route (Hiking Tour 2), a red circle marker leads from Schweißenreuth towards Köglitz. The route description was last changed in 2022; check the marker on site before setting off. For the cycling tour, use the distance and two route options as your guide; for the hike, the red circle marker points towards Köglitz from Schweißenreuth.

Waldeck Castle Ruins Nearby

The remains of Waldeck Castle lie on Waldecker Schlossberg, near Köglitz. The castle ruins have been excavated and restored over the past 30 years; information boards and an app tell the story of their eventful history. The hill offers a magnificent view across the countryside.

A Local Connection to Food Production

For a culinary glimpse of Köglitz, Heckenhof Robl is a specific point of interest: in Köglitz, it bakes organic stone-oven bread from its own grain in various varieties.

More Things to Do in Kemnath

The wider destination of Kemnath offers more activities to choose from. The Karpfenweg Rally gives visitors of all ages a discovery tour with puzzles. An Actionbound digital scavenger hunt leads along the Fantastischer Karpfenweg to historic sights. Check whether the digital activity is currently available if you plan to take part.

The Musikeum in Kemnath is all about historical musical instruments and machines. Anton Heindl’s collection ranges from barrel organs to gramophones; visitors can touch and listen to the exhibits. The local history and firearms museum in Kemnath includes finds from 50,000 years of human history in the Kemnath region.

Discover more destinations: Hopfau.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Kemnath.