Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung, Pilgrimage church in Marktschellenberg, Germany.
The Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung is a Rococo pilgrimage church on the Ettenberg plateau above Marktschellenberg. Its white walls with a pale yellow section and a tall tower capped by an eight-sided shingle pyramid stand on a grassy slope. Inside, five altars include a high altar with marbled columns and a late-Baroque structure.
The foundation stone was laid on 17 March 1724 under Prince-Provost Julius Heinrich von Rehlingen-Radau, and the roof truss was set on 13 May 1725. The tower was added only between 1834 and 1836, so it lacks the baroque onion dome of the rest of the building and carries a plain eight-sided shingle pyramid roof. Church and organ were thoroughly renovated between 1979 and 1980.
The large ceiling fresco by Innozenz Anton Warathy, who lived in Burghausen, treats promise and fulfilment: Queen Esther's plea before the Persian king Ahasuerus prefigures Mary as intercessor. Mary kneels on a cloud before the assembled Provostry of Berchtesgaden; at the lower right a boy holds its coat of arms, and to Mary's right are Prince-Provost Julius Heinrich von Rehlingen-Radau and probably his successor Cajetan Anton Notthafft von Weißenstein. Four smaller frescoes with inscriptions take themes from the Litany of Loreto.
The church is open year-round and welcomes visitors free of charge. Parking spaces are available near the building for those arriving by car.
Each year the Anna Festival brings an evening procession lit by candlelight, led by the Ettenberg shooting club in traditional dress. The celebration ends with a ceremonial volley fired as a final salute.
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