The Catholic Pilgrim's Guide to Mariatrost, Austria

In 1708, the Pauline Fathers established themselves on a forested hilltop northeast of Graz, drawn by a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary that had been venerated there since at least the fifteenth century. Within six years, they commissioned Andreas Stengg and his son Johann Georg to build something worthy of the site. What rose between 1714 and 1724 still commands the Styrian landscape: twin Baroque towers in pale yellow, a curved façade of grey marble quarried from the Purberg itself, and 216 stone steps ascending from the valley below. Today Mariatrost ranks as Styria's second most important Marian shrine after Mariazell. Pope John Paul II elevated it to Basilica Minor on October 28, 1999—making it the fourth basilica in Styria alongside Mariazell, Rein Abbey, and Seckau Abbey. Pilgrims still climb the Angelus staircase as their predecessors did three centuries ago, pausing at stations where statues of angels and historical figures mark the ascent. At the summit, the city of Graz spreads below, and something of the hilltop's original silence remains.

📜 History & Spiritual Significance

The origins of Marian devotion on the Purberg predate the current basilica by centuries. A Gothic Madonna—carved around 1465—already drew faithful to this hill above Graz before the Pauline order arrived. When the Paulines established their monastery in 1708, they recognized both the statue's reputation and the site's potential. The church that Stengg father and son built transformed a place of local devotion into a destination of regional significance. The monastery's history mirrors the upheavals of Austrian religious life. Emperor Joseph II suppressed the Pauline community in 1786 as part of his sweeping monastic reforms. The church stood without religious care until 1842, when Franciscans arrived to continue the pilgrimage tradition. They remained until 1996, their stewardship spanning over 150 years. The basilica's recognition by Pope John Paul II in 1999 formalized what pilgrims had long known: Mariatrost held a particular place in Styrian devotion. The Pope's connection to the site was more than administrative—Canadian ice hockey coach and Basilian priest Father David Bauer conducted Masses here during his coaching tenure in Austria, drawing an international following. The interior rewards the climb. Lukas von Schram and Johann Baptist Scheidt painted the frescoes that glorify Mary across vaulted ceilings, including scenes of the Battle of Lepanto—that great naval victory attributed to Our Lady's intercession. Veit Königer created the pulpit between 1730 and 1731, its carved figures representing Faith, Hope, and Charity.

☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Mariatrost

Basilika Mariatrost

The basilica rises from the 469-meter Purberg hill, its twin towers reaching 61 meters above the summit. The curved Baroque façade faces west over Graz, its grey marble extracted from the hill beneath. Inside, the eye travels from Königer's elaborate pulpit through Laubmann's frescoes to the high altar where the miraculous Madonna stands. The 15th-century Gothic statue was adapted to Baroque aesthetics in 1695 by sculptor Bernhard Echter, who clothed the medieval figure in the visual language of the Counter-Reformation while preserving its essential form. Address Kirchplatz 8, 8044 Graz GPS 47.097170, 15.493610 Map Google Maps Web pfarre-mariatrost.at

Angelus Staircase

The 216 stone steps ascending from the valley floor to the basilica constitute their own pilgrimage. Statues of angels and historical figures line the route, each landing offering a moment for prayer or breath. The climb traditionally symbolizes penitential devotion—a physical participation in spiritual ascent. Pilgrims who began their journey in Graz's city center find the staircase a fitting conclusion.

Monastery Grounds

The former Pauline and Franciscan monastery surrounds the basilica with a tranquility unusual for a site so close to a major city. Gardens and forest trails extend behind the church, offering pilgrims space for contemplation after Mass. The idyllic grounds create what many describe as a perfect environment for finding peace amid nature.

🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations

Monthly Fatima Pilgrimage — 13th of Each Month

On the 13th of each month, pilgrims gather for the Fatima devotion that commemorates Our Lady's 1917 apparitions in Portugal. The procession departs at 6:30 PM from the war memorial below, ascending the 216 steps by candlelight. Mass follows at 7:00 PM in the basilica. This monthly rhythm of devotion links Mariatrost to the worldwide network of Fatima pilgrimage sites.

Feast of the Assumption — August 15

The Solemnity of the Assumption draws large crowds from Graz and surrounding communities. Solemn Masses throughout the day fill the basilica with hymns that echo against Laubmann's frescoes of Mary's glory.

🚗 Getting There

By Tram: Take tram line 1 from Graz city center directly to Mariatrost—approximately 20 minutes from Jakominiplatz. The tram stop is at the base of the 216-step pilgrimage staircase. By Car: From central Graz, follow signs northeast toward Mariatrost. Parking is available near the base of the hill. The drive takes approximately 15 minutes from the city center. On Foot: Many pilgrims walk from Graz city center, making the journey itself a devotional act. Forest trails connect Mariatrost to the broader network of walking paths in the surrounding hills.

📚 Further Reading

Online Resources: Mariatrost Basilica in Graz — Tourism information with visitor details and historical overview. (Steiermark Tourism) Basilika Mariatrost — Architectural and historical details with self-guided tour information. (GPSmyCity)

🔗 Useful Links

Mariatrost Parish — Official parish website with Mass times and parish information. (German) Region Graz Tourism — Comprehensive tourism information for Graz and surrounding areas. Graz Tourism — Official city tourism site with accommodations, events, and attractions.

🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations

Maria Straßengel (15 km) — High Gothic pilgrimage church with a 48-meter openwork sandstone tower and original 14th-century stained glass, built by the monks of Rein Abbey. Rein Abbey (20 km) — The world's oldest Cistercian abbey still in operation, founded 1129, with a magnificent Baroque church rising from Romanesque foundations. Maria Lankowitz (45 km) — Styria's second largest Marian pilgrimage church after Mariazell, founded according to legend when oxen knelt before a statue hidden in a thorn bush. Mariazell (90 km) — Central Europe's most important Marian shrine, where the Magna Mater Austriae has drawn pilgrims since 1157.

🪶 Closing Reflection

"For centuries, the site has been a destination for pilgrims and offers a tranquil atmosphere that invites reflection and contemplation."

— Mariatrost Basilica, Steiermark Tourism