Mariazell Basilica, Mariazell, Austria Verified listing

Mariazell Basilica, Mariazell, Austria

The Mariazell Basilica, officially known as Basilica Mariä Geburt, stands as a prominent Roman Catholic church in Mariazell, Austria. Nestled in the southeastern state of Styria, this basilica serves as Austria’s most significant pilgrimage site and ranks among Europe’s most visited shrines. Pilgrims from Austria and neighboring countries flock to venerate a miraculous wooden image of the Virgin Mary.

Pope Pius X elevated the sanctuary to minor basilica status on November 10, 1907, through a Motu proprio. He later facilitated the coronation of the Marian image on September 8, 1908. Remarkably, Mariazell is the only church designated as a national shrine across all German-speaking countries.

Revered as the Great Mother of Austria, Our Lady of Mariazell offers guidance and provision to her devotees. On September 27, 1992, Bishop Egon Kapellari dedicated a chapel in her honor within the basilica. This dedication underscores the enduring legacy of Marian devotion in Mariazell and the hope it inspires among believers.

Located in the picturesque Alpine Mountains, Mariazell boasts a population of about 2,000 residents. The basilica attracts nearly one million pilgrims annually, making it essential for Catholics throughout the Danube region and Central Europe.

The story of Mariazell begins with a Benedictine monk named Magnus. While traveling, he carried a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary from the St. Lambrecht convent. When a boulder blocked his path, he placed the statue on it, and the rock miraculously split. In Mariazell, he constructed a chapel around the statue, which is now housed in the basilica, known as "Magnus Mater Austriae."

Initially presided over by the Monastery of St. Lambrecht in 1102, the area witnessed the dedication of the Marian Altar in 1266. Following cycles of destruction and rebuilding, the church emerged as a stunning baroque masterpiece designed by architect Domenico Sciassia in the mid-1600s. Pope John Paul II visited the basilica in September 1983, further solidifying its significance.

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