Kloster Maria Birnbaum, Baroque pilgrimage monastery in Sielenbach, Germany.
Kloster Maria Birnbaum is a Baroque complex in the Bavarian town of Sielenbach with three domed structures flanked by towers topped with curved caps. The architecture blends Byzantine and Italian style elements into a harmonious whole.
The complex was built between 1661 and 1668 under architect Constantin Pader's direction, commissioned by Teutonic Order commander Philipp Jakob von Kaltenthal. The project followed the desire to build a sanctuary at the site where a Marian image had been discovered a century earlier.
The place keeps alive the tradition of the Blue League, a farmers' association that protected the sanctuary, with members wearing blue cloaks during religious celebrations. This dress is still visible today and shows the close bond between the faithful and the holy site.
The monastery now serves as a novitiate house for the German Province of the Teutonic Order and offers regular religious services. Visitors should check opening times and wear respectful clothing to avoid disturbing worship.
The main altar preserves the original pear tree trunk where a shepherd supposedly found a Marian image in the 17th century. This relic is the reason for the monastery's name and has drawn pilgrims for centuries.
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