St. Valentin, Kiedrich 1.63

St. Valentin is the common name for the Catholic parish church and Basilica minor Basilica of SS Dionysius and Valentinus in Kiedrich in the Rheingau, in Hesse, Germany. It was built at the end of the 15th century in Gothic style. Its organ is one of the oldest playable organs in Germany. The church was a pilgrimage destination for people with epilepsy and therefore has notable carved wooden laity stalls, including the "Gerechtigkeitsspirale" (Spirale of justice).HistoryThe parish church was mainly built at the end of the 15th century in Gothic style. The church is dedicated to St. Valentine, the patron saint of people with epilepsy (Fallende Krankheit) and lovers, housing relics which came in 1350 from Eberbach Abbey to Kiedrich. Income from the pilgrimage enabled the building of the church. The main entrance in the west is topped by a tympanum which shows both the Annunciation and the Coronation of Mary.Many people with epilepsy made the pilgrimage to the church, therefore it was furbished with unique carved laity stalls for the congregation, which normally attended service standing in Gothic times. The pews are decorated with carvings of ornaments, flowers, vines and inscriptions in Gothic alphabet. One front shows the elaborate "Gerechtigkeitsspirale" (Spirale of justice), an inscription in the form of a spirale. The Kiedrich Madonna in the choir is a wooden gilded sculpture dating from 1330. Influenced by French style, the young woman turns smiling to her child.