Kleinmariazell - Basilica

Kleinmariazell Basilica is a parish church in Altenmarkt an der Triesting located in the western Wienerwald region at about 440 meters elevation. The building displays Baroque architecture with detailed frescos by Johann Wenzel Bergl and combines Romanesque and Gothic elements in its overall structure.

The site was founded in 1136 by Margrave Leopold III as a Benedictine monastery originally called Cella Sancte Marie. Following multiple destructions and reconstructions over centuries, the monastery was dissolved in 1782 under Emperor Joseph II, though the church continued its religious role.

The basilica forms part of the Via Sacra pilgrimage route connecting Vienna to Mariazell in Styria, drawing visitors who value its role as a place of worship and spiritual reflection. Pilgrims and locals gather here regularly for services, making it a living center of religious practice rather than merely a historic monument.

The church is open on Sundays and holidays without advance notice, though a prior arrangement is needed for weekday visits. Visiting during scheduled services offers the best opportunity to access the building and experience it fully.

A thousand-year-old root system remains visible in the crypt area, accessible via a walkway situated between the Romanesque choir and the Gothic tower foundation. This underground feature provides an unusual connection between different architectural periods of the building.