About Our Lady of Maria Plain:
Overlooking the city of Salzburg is the hilltop shrine of Maria Plain. The story of Maria Plain dates from the 16th Century when a fire broke out in a family’s bakery. As the owners surveyed the damage in the aftermath of the fire they found that everything had been destroyed, except for their painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It had miraculously been protected from the fire even though everything around it had been destroyed.
Later the image was brought to Maria Plain and placed in a small chapel on the hill. Before long, so many pilgrims came to venerate the image that in 1671, the local Bishop commissioned the construction of a shrine on the site. Numerous healings have been reported at the site and it remains a popular place of pilgrimage. One of the more notable pilgrims was Pope John Paul II in 1983 on his visit to Austria. The Benedictine Monks have responsibility for the care and upkeep of the shrine.
The interior of the church is so inspiring that Mozart decided to write his “Coronation Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary” here at this location.
Getting there:
You can drive up to the shrine or take a bus from the city. If going by bus you need to be aware that you will need to take the steep 20-minute walk up the hill from the bus stop or, if you prefer, take a taxi. Get train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.
Address: Plainbergweg 38 A-5101 Bergheim near Salzburg
GPS coordinates: 47° 50′ 19.2768” N, 13° 2′ 22.1892” E
Tel: (+43) 662 450194-0
email: mariaplain@bergheim.at
Click here for the official website of the Basilica of Maria Plain in Salzburg. (in German)
Click here for a tourist information website for Salzburg (lots of great info)
⇐ Back to Catholic shrines & places of interest in Salzburg
