Maria Birnbaum, Catholic pilgrimage church in Sielenbach, Germany.
Maria Birnbaum is a pilgrimage church south of Sielenbach built in the Baroque style with white walls and a distinctive dome that makes it stand out in the landscape. It sits alongside the Ecknach river and shows the central-plan architectural design typical of early Bavarian Baroque churches.
Construction began in the second half of the 17th century under the direction of Teutonic Order commander Philipp Jakob von Kaltenthal, who sought to create a worship space for the growing devotion of local believers. The church rapidly became a focal point for pilgrims from throughout the region.
The church is dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary and has drawn pilgrims for centuries who come to pray and reflect in its interior. The name comes from a pear tree that reportedly appeared to a farmer's wife at this location and prompted the founding of the pilgrimage site.
The church is located along hiking trails that connect to nearby villages and breweries, making it easy to reach on foot from several directions. Regular services take place, and visitors can enter during open hours to explore the interior spaces at their own pace.
The Teutonic Order returned to manage the church after a long absence of more than two centuries, establishing it as their novitiate house where new members receive training. This reconnection with the order that originally founded it marks a remarkable chapter in the building's modern history.
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