 When it was founded in
the year 1157, there was only a cell that a Benedictine monk from St. Lambrecht
had built for his beloved statue of the Virgin Mary. The oldest building probably goes back to
Margrave Henry of Moravia; the gothic choir began to emerge in 1340, construction
on the nav a grand three aisled hall began around 1360. King Louis I of Hungary’s generous bestowment
promoted construction. The church is a
perfect unification of the Gothic and the Baroque styles, both outside as well
as inside.
Two baroque spires flank the
mighty gothic central steeple with its opulent stone ornamentation, the cupola
arching over the eastern part; the long and narrow windows and the
terracotta-colored pilaster in front of the white walls are just some of the
features lending the church its special character. The side chapel is attached to the lofty
hall, above which the galleries can be found, leading to both the old and new treasure chambers.
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  Exalted in 1908, the Basilica of Mariazell has
two focal points: the sacral shrine and the artistic high altar designed by
Fischer von Erlach. The most significant
part of the Basilica, outshining everything else, is the late-Romanesque
Miraculous Statue of the Madonna, carrying the Holy Child on her right
arm.
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Much Austrian and European history is closely
bound to this special place called Mariazell; history moving towards the
present and reaching into the future.
Visits by two Popes in 1983 and 2007;
trains carrying the disabled; pilgrimages on foot by members of parishes and
students; Hungarian pilgrims at the tomb of József Cardinal Mindszenty and
great manifestations of confession with both the lay apostolate and the clergy
including the so-called Pilgrimage of Diversity in September 1996;
traditionally organized pilgrimages and pilgrims on their own, submitting their
requests or just giving thanks—all of this makes Mariazell the epitome of what
pilgrimage is in Austria.
The Basilica is open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00
pm. Celebrations of mass, devotions and
receiving the sacrament of penance are all offered during this time, with a
short break between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Unfortunately guided tours are
not available at the moment. For
more detailed information contact the Office of the Superior of the Basilica
Tel.: +43 3882 2595 0.
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Last Updated Dienstag, 23 Dezember 2008 |
Pilgrimage 
