Wehlen, Stadt Bernkastel-Kues Germany
The shrine is built into a slake rock along the Moselle. Built in 1869, it was renovated in 2014 by the Jodacus Prüm Citizens' Foundation. Ships have been pulled up the Moselle since Roman times. First by towing servants and also with horses. Before the river was dredged from 1958 - 1964, creating a canal, this spot had treacherous rapids. St. Nicholas, patron saint of boatmen, safely guided and protected the boatmen. After successful passage, the boatmen placed candles on the wayside shrine. Candles are still placed on the shrine for St. Nicholas Day and can be seen from afar.Legend tells of a boatman, approaching the rapids, whose horses refused to move any further, even when lashed. The ship was in danger of being lost when the skipper looked at St. Nicholas on the bank, asked for Nicholas' help, and promised a candle as thick as his ship's mast. The horses pulled again and the ship safely got through the rapids. The skipper regretted his rash promise and said, "Nicholas, not that!" At that moment the horses stopped pulling, the ship was lost, the skipper and horses thrown into the Moselle where they drowned.