The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Maria Kirchental, Austria

In 1689, a farmer named Rupert Schmuck carried a late Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary from the parish church in St. Martin to a modest forest chapel hidden in the high valley above the village. What happened next defied explanation: the statue, witnesses reported, turned overnight to face a different direction; tears appeared on its wooden face; three stalks of corn grew from the frozen ground in winter where the Madonna's gaze fell. Word spread through the mountains. Within two years, over 300 Masses had been celebrated in that simple woodland chapel. Today, a baroque masterpiece stands where Schmuck's chapel once did. Designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the imperial court architect of the Habsburgs, the Wallfahrtskirche Maria Kirchental rises at 900 meters elevation at the foot of the Loferer Steinberge. Archbishop Eder called it the Bergkristall unter den Wallfahrtsorten—the "rock crystal among pilgrimage sites." For over three centuries, pilgrims from Salzburg, Tyrol, Bavaria, and Upper Austria have climbed these mountain paths seeking the intercession of the miraculous Gnadenbild.

📜 History & Spiritual Significance

The miraculous image at the heart of Maria Kirchental dates to around 1400, carved by an unknown late Gothic master for the parish church of St. Martin. The crowned Virgin holds the Christ Child, who grasps a goldfinch—called Stieglitz or "thistle finch" in German—in his left hand. The thistle finch feeds on thorns, an ancient symbol of Christ's Passion, foreshadowing the crown of thorns. After the parish church underwent renovations in 1689, Rupert Schmuck transferred the statue to a small forest chapel in the Kirchental valley. The reported miracles—the statue's movement, its tears, the winter corn—drew immediate attention. Archbishop Johann Ernst Graf von Thun investigated the claims and, on October 13, 1691, solemnly crowned the image. By summer of that year, 348 Masses had already been celebrated at the woodland shrine. Impressed by the extraordinary devotion and the many ex-voto offerings already accumulating, Archbishop von Thun commissioned a proper pilgrimage church. He entrusted the design to Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, the architect of Vienna's Karlskirche and Salzburg's Kollegienkirche. Construction began in 1694 under the direction of local master builder Stefan Millinger. The church was consecrated on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary—September 8, 1701—by Bishop Rudolf Josef von Thun. The double-towered baroque façade was completed in 1708. The church cost 40,000 Gulden, significantly exceeding initial estimates, but the result justified the expense. Fischer von Erlach drew inspiration from the Chapelle de la Sorbonne in Paris for the floor plan and from his own Kollegienkirche for the soaring interior volume. The unified space, bathed in carefully directed light from high windows, creates an atmosphere of transcendent stillness unusual in a mountain chapel. In July 2024, Archbishop Franz Lackner of Salzburg transferred the sanctuary's stewardship to the Marianische Gemeinschaft "Oase des Friedens" (Marian Community "Oasis of Peace"), a community founded in 1987 inspired by the events at Medjugorje. Three sisters of the Missionarinnen Christi and two priests now reside at Maria Kirchental, continuing over three centuries of continuous pilgrimage ministry.

☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Maria Kirchental

Wallfahrtskirche Maria Kirchental

Pilgrimage Church of Maria Kirchental

Fischer von Erlach's baroque church dominates the high valley with its distinctive double-towered east façade, earning the popular name Pinzgauer Dom (Pinzgau Cathedral). The interior presents a noble, unified space of impressive height, with light streaming through strategically placed windows to illuminate the neo-baroque high altar (1858), where the miraculous Gnadenbild sits enthroned among large gilded angels. Side altars include a painting by Salzburg court painter Jacopo Zanusi. A multicolored stone communion rail with fretwork balusters and three wrought iron doors marks the sanctuary boundary.

Address Kirchental 1, 5092 St. Martin bei Lofer GPS 47.561575, 12.690859

Map Google Maps Web maria-kirchental.at

Pilgrimage Museum

Wallfahrtsmuseum

Established in 2004 in the northern sacristy, the museum houses Austria's largest and most valuable collection of votive paintings—approximately 1,200 Votivtafeln, most dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. These painted tablets, offered by pilgrims in thanksgiving for answered prayers, document healings from eye, nose, mouth, and lung ailments as well as agricultural blessings and family petitions. The entire collection was restored with support from the Edith-Haberland-Wagner-Stiftung of Munich. The museum also displays goldsmith works and liturgical objects. A virtual gallery is available on the sanctuary website.

Haus der Besinnung

House of Reflection

Adjacent to the church, the Haus der Besinnung functions as a spiritual retreat center offering individual retreats, guided reflection days, Exerzitien (Ignatian spiritual exercises), Bible weeks, and meditations. Contact the community at +43 6588 8528 for information about programs.

🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations

Feast of the Nativity of Mary — September 8

The patronal feast of Maria Kirchental commemorates both the dedication of the church (1701) and the Marian title to which it is consecrated. Pilgrims gather for solemn celebrations that continue the tradition begun when Archbishop von Thun crowned the image in 1691.

Scapular Feast — July (Third Sunday)

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel draws pilgrims who seek to be invested in or renew their commitment to the Brown Scapular. In 2024, the Scapular Feast marked the formal transfer of the sanctuary to the Marian Community "Oasis of Peace."

Horse Pilgrimage — June

A joint pilgrimage of the Austrian and German Armed Forces brings mounted riders and horse-drawn wagons up the mountain road, continuing a regional tradition of blessing horses and livestock under Mary's protection.

Mountain Advent Market — Weekends in December

The valley transforms into a Christmas market during Advent weekends, with regional crafts, traditional foods, and special liturgies in the candlelit church. The event draws visitors seeking a more contemplative approach to the season.

Annual Sunlight Phenomenon — February 11

During the darkest winter months, from November through February, the high mountains block direct sunlight from reaching the valley. On February 11—the anniversary of the first Lourdes apparition—the first ray of returning sun strikes a fresco of the Virgin Mary above the door of the Mesnerhaus. Whether coincidence or sacred geometry, pilgrims have noted the alignment for generations.

🛏️ Where to Stay

Pilgrim & Religious Accommodations:

Haus der Besinnung (pilgrim accommodation) — The sanctuary's spiritual retreat center offers rooms for pilgrims seeking quiet and prayer. Contact the community for availability. Website

Gasthof Maria Kirchental (guesthouse) — Traditional inn adjacent to the church with 21 beds in single and double rooms. Retro-style décor from the 1980s-90s. Restaurant open Wed-Sun. Website

Hotels in Lofer (5 km):

Landgasthof Neuwirt ⭐⭐⭐ — Family guesthouse near the Lofer cable car with mountain views and traditional restaurant. Reserve this hotel

🚗 Getting There

By Air: The nearest international airport is Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport (SZG), approximately 45 km away. Munich Airport offers additional connections, about 150 km distant.

By Train: The nearest train station is Saalfelden, approximately 30 km from St. Martin bei Lofer. Regional bus connections link the station to Lofer and St. Martin.

By Bus: Linienbus 260 operates from Salzburg via Lofer to St. Martin bei Lofer. Alight at "Hst Abzweigung Ort" in St. Martin.

By Car: From Munich, travel via Bad Reichenhall and Schneizelreuth to Lofer, or via Kufstein and Waidring. From Salzburg, take the B311 via Lofer to St. Martin. A private toll road (Mautstraße) climbs 2 km from St. Martin to the sanctuary (14% maximum gradient). Note: coaches may not exceed 13 meters in length; caravans are prohibited. Winter closure applies November through Easter—the road becomes a toboggan run.

On Foot: Three marked hiking trails ascend from St. Martin:

• Pilgersteig (Pilgrim Path) — Information boards document the 300-year pilgrimage history along the Floderbach stream
• Tiroler Steig (Path 72) — 2 hours, 4.82 km, 244m elevation gain
• Salzburger Steig — Alternative route via Hochmoos

Winter pilgrims walk up when the road is closed, with free shuttle service available from the Gasthof on arrival and departure days.

📚 Further Reading

Books:

Wallfahrtskirche Maria Kirchental, Salzburg — Guide to the pilgrimage church and its history. (German)

Votivbilder von Maria Kirchental — Scholarly study of the exceptional votive painting collection. (German)

Online Resources:

Über die Kirche — Official sanctuary history and description. (Maria Kirchental, German)

A Pilgrimage to Maria Kirchental — Tourism information with hiking details and practical visitor information. (Lofer Tourism)

🔗 Useful Links

Wallfahrtskirche Maria Kirchental — Official sanctuary website with Mass times, pilgrimage information, and virtual museum gallery. (German)

Gasthof Maria Kirchental — On-site inn with accommodation and restaurant information.

Salzburger Saalachtal Tourismus — Regional tourism portal covering Lofer and St. Martin bei Lofer.

🥾 Pilgrim Routes

Jerusalem Way (Jerusalemweg) — The world's longest peace and pilgrimage route (8,500 km from Finisterre to Jerusalem) passes through the Salzburger Saalachtal, with a stage running from Lofer via Maria Kirchental to Unken. Pilgrims walking toward the Holy Land find the sanctuary a natural stopping point. Official website

Way of St. James (Jakobsweg Austria) — The Austrian Jakobsweg follows the Saalach valley via Unken to Lofer, continuing toward Tyrol. The SalzburgerLand section spans approximately 100 km through the Salzburg Lake District, passing Maria Plain and Salzburg city. A detour to Maria Kirchental adds spiritual depth to the Camino journey. SalzburgerLand guide

Pinzgauer Marienweg — This 135 km Marian pilgrimage route leads through five Marian churches from Jochbergwald over Pass Thurn to Maria Kirchental, known as the Pinzgauer Dom. The route was established in 2011 and connects the major Marian shrines of the Salzburg region including Maria Alm. Official website

🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations

Maria Plain (50 km) — The other great pilgrimage site of Salzburgerland, overlooking the city of Salzburg. Together with Maria Kirchental, it forms the twin poles of Marian devotion in the archdiocese.

Mariazell (300 km) — Austria's national Marian shrine in Styria, drawing over a million pilgrims annually. The Mariazellerweg connects Salzburg pilgrimage traditions with the national sanctuary.

Maria Taferl (220 km) — Lower Austria's most visited pilgrimage site, dramatically situated above the Danube valley.

🕊️ Closing Reflection

"Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer. For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer 'in Church.'"

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2691