Maria Plain pilgrimage church, building in Bergheim, Austria
Maria Plain pilgrimage church is a baroque building in Bergheim, Austria, featuring two towers and a bright interior decorated with stucco work, gold accents, and white and blue tones. The main altar houses a painting of Mary's Assumption by Frans de Neve, with the venerated image of the Virgin Mary with Jesus positioned beneath it.
The church was built in 1674 by Archbishop Max Gandolf von Khuenburg following plans by Italian architect Giovanni Antonio Dario. The original miraculous painting arrived in 1652 and survived a fire in Bavaria, with a copy later installed in the new basilica, which became an important pilgrimage destination by 1751.
The church has strong ties to the Mozart family, who are believed to have visited regularly for prayer. Visitors today can experience how this religious tradition connects with music, as a famous mass related to the painting is performed annually during a celebration honoring the image of Mary.
The church is accessible by tour bus with parking available nearby, and visitors can reach it via a short path or stairs from the parking area. Wear comfortable shoes as weather can affect the paths, and note that the building is open daily from early morning to evening.
According to legend, the miraculous painting survived a house fire in Regen, Bavaria around 1630 and was brought to Salzburg, where it became the focus of veneration at this pilgrimage site. This remarkable escape from flames continues to shape the significance of the place and draws visitors drawn to this story.
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