Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf, Catholic pilgrimage church in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany.
Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf rises above the city with a round tower extending 30 meters (98 feet) high, surrounded by trees and monastery walls. The Baroque structure features harmonious proportions with interior galleries and a vaulted ceiling that creates a spacious interior.
Construction took place between 1718 and 1727, replacing a wooden chapel that housed a copy of Lucas Cranach's famous Mary painting. This new church reflected the growing desire of pilgrims to visit a revered image in the region.
The interior displays elaborate stucco decorations by Lombard artist Johann Bajerna that flow across the walls and ceilings. The Baroque high altar by Johann Ulrich Wiest, featuring an image of the Virgin Mary, forms the focal point of the chancel.
Visitors can climb 367 steps along the Kreuzweg or take the road through the Höhenberg district to reach this hilltop location. Shaded paths beneath trees provide comfortable conditions for the ascent during warm months.
The organ was built in 1977 by Mathis & Söhne with 14 registers across two manuals and pedals, housed in a historical case from 1755. This combination of modern mechanics within an old casing represents an interesting approach to preserving classical appearance.
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