Basilica Mariazell

Austria's foremost place of pilgrimage

For more than 850 years Mariazell has been the very embodiment of pilgrimage in Austria. At the centre of religious life stands the Basilica of Mariazell – originally built in the Gothic style and later given a magnificent Baroque makeover. Its unmistakable façade, with the pointed Gothic central tower between two Baroque domed towers, shapes the townscape and can be seen from almost everywhere in Mariazell.

Venerated here is a wooden miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, the “Magna Mater Austriae" (Great Mother of Austria). This image of grace is a late-Romanesque statue of the Mother of God carrying the Child on her right arm, and it stands in the richly decorated Chapel of Grace at the heart of the church.

History at a glance

According to legend, in the year 1157 the monk Magnus brought the statue of the Virgin to Mariazell – from this came the place name (“Maria in der Zelle", Mary in the cell). As early as around 1400 there were some two dozen stalls selling votive offerings around the church, and roughly a hundred years later Mariazell was known internationally as a place of pilgrimage. To this day the faithful make their way here from all over Central Europe – Mariazell is the destination of many traditional walking pilgrimages, such as the Via Sacra from Vienna.

Treasury & votive collection

The basilica's treasury displays votive pictures, votive offerings and miracle images spanning several centuries – an impressive testimony to the history of the pilgrimage. The treasury and votive collection are open seasonally (roughly from late April to late October, Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Monday). The exact times can vary – it is best to check them shortly before your visit on the basilica's official website.

Guided tours

Group tours of the treasury and votive collection are possible for parties of around 15 people or more, by prior arrangement. The tour begins in the west gallery with an overview of the history of the pilgrimage. Individual visitors are free to visit the basilica all year round.

Visiting from our apartments

Our apartments at Pater-Heinrich-Abel-Platz and on the main square lie right in the historic centre – you can reach the basilica in one or two minutes on foot. Some of our apartments even offer a view of the basilica. Handy to know: you need no car to visit the church, a café or the Christmas market.