Tholbath - St. Leonhard

The small church was the chapel of the medieval castle, that today is completely lost. It was devoted to St. Laurentius over the the first centuries, but the devotion changed to St. Leonhard in the early 16th century. Since then it has served the hamlet as a parish church. A chain spans all around the nave. The chain is a symbol of St. Leonhard. As he is not only the patron saint for prisoners, but as well for horses, it may well be that the first chain was made from horseshoes, votive offerings left here after the horses were given a special St.Leonhard-blessing.

The church was consecrated in 1190 by the Bishop of Regensburg, representing his collegue from Eichstaett, who was not available, being on the cruisade at that time.

A frieze of 13 heads runs around the apse. What an elaborate work for such a small, rural church. The peasants around wondered about these carvings over the centuries and a legend was told, that a giant had built this church.

Here are details:

A lion devouring a man - a pig/boar - a seated man in an adorante-gestus with a large head, having a (beheaded?) head between his feet.

G. Weber ("Romanik in Oberbayern") quotes "Oberbayerisches Archiv für vaterlaendische Geschichte" from 1866: "Lion´s head with child - Bear - Woman giving birth"