Mariatrost Basilica, Baroque pilgrimage church on Purberg hill, Graz, Austria
Mariatrost Basilica is a white Baroque church standing on Purberg hill near Graz, commanding attention from its elevated position at 469 meters. The structure is defined by two 61-meter towers and a central dome that together create a striking profile above the surrounding landscape.
Construction began in 1714 under architects Andreas Stengg and Johann Georg Stengg, commissioned by the Order of Saint Paul and completed in 1724. This period coincided with the height of Baroque building in the region, when such grand pilgrimage churches represented major religious undertakings.
The name Mariatrost refers to Mary as the Comforter, reflecting its role as a pilgrimage destination for devotees seeking spiritual solace. Visitors today still come to kneel before the carved Madonna and experience the sacred space as countless generations have done.
Visitors reach the basilica either by climbing the Angelus staircase with 216 steps or by taking bus number 1 from central Graz. Sturdy footwear is advisable for the journey, though the climb remains manageable for those who prefer to walk the entire route.
The ceiling frescoes include not only religious scenes but also the Battle of Lepanto, a historical naval battle depicted by artists Lukas von Schram and Johann Baptist Scheidt within a sacred setting. This unusual blend of worldly warfare imagery with spiritual themes makes the artwork a curious document of Baroque visual language.
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