Pilgrimage Church of Mariastein

The snow-white castle is an iconic and spectacular landscape feature of Hohe Salve Region in its own right, with the tiny chapel of Mariastein perched on its summit. The chapel was originally built on the site in the 14th century by Freundsberger Dynasty. The place has later been credited with a miracle of the Virgin Mary, and the tiny building was declared a place of pilgrimage by the 18th century. A series of 142 steps lead to the ornate chapel, whose wonderful Madonna painting is attracting great numbers of pilgrims. Take a stroll around the adjoining Castle’s Princely Banquet Hall and Museum and discover the treasures that make it so special, including the “Tirolese Regalia”, the Archduke's Hat and scepter which were donated to the castle by the country’s medieval Emperor Maximilian.