Maria Trost, Gothic pilgrimage church in Fernitz-Mellach, Austria
Maria Trost is a pilgrimage church with Gothic architecture featuring a 64 meter tower topped by a baroque onion dome. The interior has three naves with intricate ribbed vaults that create a sense of vertical space and complexity.
Construction started in 1506 on this building, which reused parts of an earlier 15th-century structure including the northern tower. The church emerged during a period when pilgrimage traditions held great importance for local religious practice.
The church serves as a spiritual and social center where locals gather for religious celebrations and walking processions through the neighborhood. Visitors can feel how deeply rooted this place is in the daily life of the community.
The church is located in the village of Fernitz-Mellach and easy to walk to with nearby parking. Entry is free and visitors can explore the interior and tower details, though it is worth checking if services are happening to avoid disrupting worshippers.
Local legend tells of a statue of Mary that returned to a thornbush at this location three times despite being taken back to nearby Vasoldsberg. This tale helps explain why the place became such an important destination for pilgrims.
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