Pilgrimage Church of Mariahilf, Catholic pilgrimage church on Mariahilfberg, Passau, Germany

Wallfahrtskirche Mariahilf is a baroque church built in 1624–1627 by Francesco Garbanino, with white walls, a steep dark roof and a central tower crowned by an onion dome, lantern and cross; two smaller matching domes sit on the roof ridge. The tower carries a clock with gold hands and a dark face, and the facade has arched and rectangular windows with dark frames and green shutters. Inside, a tall gilded baroque altar of 1729 rises beneath a painted arched ceiling, with a stepped platform, altar table, crucifix, candles, columns, niches and gilded statues of angels and saints.

The pilgrimage was founded in 1622 by cathedral dean Marquard von Schwendi, who had a chapel built for a copy of Lucas Cranach the Elder's Mariahilf image made by the Passau artist Pius in 1620. The church itself was built in 1624–1627 by Francesco Garbanino, and the tower domes were added in 1665. After the Capuchin monastery was dissolved in 1803, the Capuchins returned in 1890; the Paulines took over the church in 2002.

The venerated image is a copy of Lucas Cranach the Elder's Mariahilf, painted in 1620 by the Passau artist Pius for the chapel founded in 1622. After the 1683 relief of Vienna, won under the motto "Maria hilf!", it became the state image of the Habsburg monarchy. Weapons captured from the Turks are displayed in the confessional corridor.

Access to the church is via a covered stairway with 321 steps that winds upward from Neutorgraben street. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since the climb can be tiring, but the view from above rewards the effort.

The weapons captured from the defeated Turks at the 1683 Battle of Vienna are displayed in the church's confessional corridor. The imperial couple had fled to Passau that year and prayed daily before the image of Mary for deliverance from the Turkish threat.