Saint Elisabeth with beggar, wood from South Tyrol

She was a Hungarian princess, but she gave her heart to the poor. As the wife of the Landgrave of Thuringia, she came to Wartburg Castle in the 13th century. She is said to have left her chambers there every day to give baskets of bread to beggars, which did not please everyone at court. But when she was asked to present her basket, the loaves turned into roses. This rose miracle is the most famous of the many legends surrounding the saint. Cast out after the death of her husband, she also devoted the last years of her life to charity and founded a hospital. She died at the age of 24 and was canonized just four years later. Many charitable institutions are named after her. The patron saint of Thuringia and Hesse is often depicted with a water jug and a beggar - as in this finely crafted statue. Enjoy the sight of this saint, who has been the epitome of active charity for centuries, every day.