Wallfahrtskirche Maria Laach, Gothic pilgrimage church in Maria Laach am Jauerling, Austria.
Wallfahrtskirche Maria Laach is a Gothic church that stands on the southern slope of Jauerling mountain at 644 meters elevation, featuring medieval architectural elements throughout its structure. Its interior houses several religious art pieces, including a Gothic double-winged altarpiece from 1480 and other devotional objects.
Construction of the current Gothic church began around 1380, replacing an earlier structure whose name came from a tanning byproduct. Following a reported miraculous healing of a blind child in 1719, pilgrims from the southern Waldviertel region began making regular journeys to this site.
The church's name comes from the German word 'Laach,' which refers to a tanning pit where hides were once treated, reminding visitors of the area's craft heritage. Today, the space draws pilgrims who come to view its religious art and reflect on its connection to the surrounding landscape.
The church is accessible by local roads that lead through surrounding villages and by walking paths that climb toward Jauerling mountain. A visit works best during regular hours when the interior can be viewed, and the surrounding hillside is easy to explore on foot.
The church has a cemetery attached to its grounds where graves of visitors who came here over centuries to pray are preserved. This burial ground shows how the site functioned not merely as a place of worship, but as a place of family remembrance and lasting devotion.
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