The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Maria Plain, Austria

North of Salzburg, on a hill called the Plainberg, a Baroque basilica commands views that extend sixty miles to the Alps. Maria Plain has been the traditional pilgrimage church of Mozart's city since the seventeenth century—and Mozart himself performed here, composing his "Coronation Mass" for this sanctuary. The devotion began with fire: during the Thirty Years' War, an image of the Virgin and Child survived the flames that consumed the Bavarian city of Regen. When this miraculous picture was brought to Salzburg, Prince Archbishop Guidobald Thun built a chapel for it in 1652. Italian architect Giovanni Antonio Dario designed the present church between 1671 and 1674 under Prince Archbishop Max Gandolf. Its yellow-and-white Baroque façade, crowned with twin onion domes, has welcomed pilgrims for 350 years. In 1983, Pope John Paul II knelt before the same image that had survived the flames—and that had moved the Mozart family to such profound piety.

📜 History & Spiritual Significance

The story begins in devastation. During the Thirty Years' War, fire swept through Regen in Bavaria. When the flames subsided, an image of Mary with the Christ Child emerged unharmed from the ruins. Word of this miracle spread, and the image was sent to Salzburg. Prince Archbishop Guidobald Thun recognized the image's significance and built a chapel for it on the Plainberg in 1652. The devotion grew so rapidly that his successor, Max Gandolf, commissioned a proper church. Giovanni Antonio Dario's Baroque design, completed in 1674, gave architectural expression to the faithful's devotion. The Mozart family held Maria Plain in special reverence. Leopold Mozart brought his children here on pilgrimage; Wolfgang Amadeus performed in the basilica. The "Coronation Mass" (K. 317), composed in 1779, may have been written for the coronation of the miraculous image—though scholars continue to debate this attribution. Pope Pius XII elevated Maria Plain to a minor basilica in 1952, recognizing three centuries of continuous pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II prayed before the image in 1983, adding his witness to that of countless pilgrims before him.

☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Maria Plain

Basilika Maria Plain

Pilgrimage Basilica The yellow-and-white Baroque exterior features twin towers with onion domes. Reliefs of the Four Evangelists and the Madonna and Child decorate the façade. Inside, the main altar of 1674 displays Frans de Neve's painting of Mary's Assumption, framed by statues of Saints Maximilian, Vitalis, Rupert, and Virgil—the patron saints of the Salzburg diocese. Address Plainbergweg 38, 5101 Bergheim GPS 47.8367, 13.0322 Map Google Maps Web erzabtei.at

The Miraculous Image

The painting that survived the Regen fire hangs above the high altar, the focus of pilgrims' prayers since 1652. The image depicts Mary holding the infant Jesus—a tender scene that has moved centuries of faithful to devotion.

The Plainberg

The hill itself offers pilgrimage in the physical act of ascent. The views from the summit—extending across Salzburg to the distant Alps—reward the climb with beauty that lifts the spirit.

🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations

Feast of the Assumption — August 15

The painting above the altar depicts Mary's Assumption, making this feast particularly significant at Maria Plain. Pilgrims fill the basilica for solemn celebrations.

Nativity of Mary — September 8

The feast of Mary's birth draws pilgrims to honor the beginning of her earthly life and her role in salvation history.

🚗 Getting There

By Car: Maria Plain lies in Bergheim, just north of Salzburg. The drive from Salzburg's old town takes approximately 15 minutes. On Foot: The traditional pilgrimage ascends the Plainberg on foot—a climb that prepares body and spirit for encounter with the sacred. Hours: The church is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM (until nightfall in winter). Visitors should avoid times of Mass.

🔗 Useful Links

Erzabtei St. Peter — The Benedictine archabbey that administers Maria Plain. (erzabtei.at) Salzburg Tourism — Visitor information for Maria Plain and the Salzburg region. (salzburg.info)

🪶 Closing Reflection

"What fire could not destroy, faith preserves. What war scattered, devotion gathers. At Maria Plain, we see that God's grace endures through every trial." — Salzburg pilgrimage tradition