Mariazell Basilica
Mariazell Basilica, dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin Mary, is the foremost Marian pilgrimage shrine in Austria and one of the most significant in Central Europe. Tradition traces its origin to 1157, when the Benedictine monk Magnus, sent from the Abbey of St. Lambrecht, set up a small wooden statue of the Virgin at the site. From these humble beginnings grew a sanctuary that would draw pilgrims from across the Habsburg lands of Austria, Hungary, and beyond.
The building marries two architectural eras. Its Gothic core, including a tall central spire, dates to the 14th century, while the dramatic Baroque expansion of 1644-1683, designed by Domenico Sciassia, added the flanking towers and lavish interior that give the basilica its present appearance. At its heart lies the Chapel of Grace, sheltering the Magna Mater Austriae, a small Romanesque linden-wood Madonna revered as the "Great Mother of Austria" and the spiritual focus of every pilgrimage.
Pope Pius X elevated the church to a minor basilica in 1907, confirming its national status. Administered by the Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht through its Mariazell priory, the basilica welcomes roughly a million pilgrims and visitors each year. It also remains a cherished Hungarian national shrine, honored as Magna Domina Hungarorum, binding together the Catholic peoples of the former Central European empire.
- Annual visitors
- ≈ 1,000,000
- Location
- 47.7728, 15.3186
- Local time
- 00:35 (Europe/Vienna)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Fri | 07:30–19:15 |
| Sat | 07:30–21:30 |
| Sun | 07:30–19:15 |
Hours are seasonal and approximate: summer (May-Oct) hours run much longer, opening as early as 06:00 and closing 20:00-21:30, while winter is roughly 07:30-19:15. Access may be limited during services; confirm on the official site.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
-
Birth of the Virgin Mary Saint
The basilica is formally dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary (Basilika Maria Geburt).
-
Magna Mater Austriae Saint
A small 12th-century Romanesque linden-wood Madonna in the Chapel of Grace, venerated as the patroness of Austria and the shrine's focal point.
-
Saint Magnus Saint
The Benedictine monk traditionally credited with founding the shrine in 1157 by placing the first Marian statue here.
Care & donations
Benedictine Abbey of St. Lambrecht (Superiorat Mariazell)
Online donations are accepted via the official website at basilika-mariazell.at.
Official website →The candle wall
5 candles burning now · 170 places
00:35
Tap an empty holder to light your own candle · €2.00 · hover a flame to see its intention