Chapelle Saint-Vit de Saverne

Chapelle Saint-Vit — known locally as the Vitsgrotte, or Saint Vit's grotto — is an unusual pilgrimage site tucked into the forested hills above Saverne, in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region. The site pairs an upper chapel with a lower grotto-chapel carved into Vosges sandstone, and it has drawn pilgrims and curious visitors alike for centuries.

Where does the name come from, and why does it matter?

The sanctuary honors Saint Vitus, called "Vit" in Alsatian and "Saint Guy" in French. His name lives on in the old medical term "Saint Vitus' dance," once used for nervous movement disorders and for the medieval dancing manias linked to them. The grotto became known as a place where people affected by such conditions came seeking relief through prayer and rituals performed on site.

How did the chapel and grotto evolve over time?

The grotto itself is first recorded in 1338. A hermit's dwelling next to it is documented from 1520, was rebuilt in 1590, and was enlarged again in 1781. Pilgrimages to the site grew from the mid-15th century onward, and by around 1520 the sanctuary was already known to worshippers from more than 120 parishes across Alsace, Lorraine, and Baden.

The upper chapel appears in records from 1542 as the "St Trilgen Kapelle," then as the "St Aurelien Kapelle" from 1604 — through the 17th and 18th centuries it was dedicated to Saint Aurelia rather than Saint Vit. The site's best-known episode dates to the summer of 1518, when Strasbourg was gripped by a notorious dancing plague: hundreds of residents danced uncontrollably for weeks, and some reportedly died of exhaustion. A number of the afflicted were brought to this grotto in hopes of a cure through the saint's intercession.

The turning point for the grotto's dedication came in 1818, when furnishings and the altar from the upper chapel were moved down into the grotto, which was then formally consecrated to Saint Vit. A fire in 1865 destroyed the outbuildings then in use as a farm, including a barn that had once served as a chapel. The whole sanctuary was rebuilt between 1946 and 1948, led by Joseph Klein and the association of the Friends of the Saint Vit Grotto — the layout visitors see today largely dates from that reconstruction.

What is there to see today?

The grotto-chapel carries a small bell turret and opens directly into Vosges sandstone laid down in the Lower Triassic. The original statues once housed there are now kept in the local museum and in Saverne's parish church. Alongside the grotto lies an alpine garden with terraced flower beds, a popular stop for walkers in warmer months. Once a year, around the feast of Saint Guy, a mass is still celebrated inside the grotto itself.

How do visitors get there, and what should they know?

The sanctuary sits in the wooded hills that ring Saverne and lies along well-used hiking routes, with views opening onto the Alsace plain and the ruins of nearby castles, including Haut-Barr and Greifenstein. The site is now municipal property, belonging to the commune of Saverne.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the chapel and the grotto at Chapelle Saint-Vit? The upper chapel is a freestanding structure built above ground, originally dedicated to other saints, notably Saint Aurelia. The lower grotto-chapel, carved into the rock and documented since 1338, has carried the dedication to Saint Vit since 1818.

Why is the site linked to "Saint Vitus' dance"? Saint Vit is the patron invoked against movement disorders, and the grotto is associated with treating sufferers, including some of those caught up in Strasbourg's 1518 dancing plague.

Can the grotto and chapel be visited? Yes, the site is open to visitors, and an alpine garden next to the grotto is also accessible to the public.

How do you reach Chapelle Saint-Vit? It lies in the forest above Saverne and is reachable via hiking trails connecting the town center to nearby viewpoints and historic sites.