Sacred sites in Maria Plain include the Chapel of Origin, the miraculous image in the pilgrimage church and the Calvary. Building history, the history of the image, and a route with steps and chapels offer different perspectives. When planning your visit, also consider the respective visiting conditions and the date of the Coronation Mass.

Chapel of Origin and Miraculous Image

The Chapel of Origin in Maria Plain was built of stone in 1710 by Sebastian Stumpfegger. Its altar structure holds the first copy of the miraculous image of Maria Plain. Johann Pereth created this copy in 1653 on commission from Rudolf von Grimming. The image and the chapel building therefore date from different periods: the copy was created 57 years before the Chapel of Origin was built. If you are interested in religious art, this time gap offers a concrete way to explore the history of the image and its later place of display.

High Altar and Calvary

The miraculous image of Maria Plain stands at the center of the high altar in the pilgrimage church of Maria Plain. The first copy, by contrast, is housed in the altar structure of the Chapel of Origin. This makes it possible to distinguish between two different settings: the miraculous image at the center of the church's high altar and its first copy in the chapel's altar structure.

Built in the 17th century, the Calvary depicts the Passion of Christ with life-size replicas of the Crucifixion scene. Its gravel path leads up steps and past four flanking chapels to a roofed Crucifixion group. To find your way, take note both of the stations along the route and its destination. The gravel and steps are also practical features to consider when planning a visit; no walking time is specified. The Calvary thus differs from individual altar paintings: its religious depiction unfolds along the route and culminates at the Crucifixion group.

Routes and Visits

A route in Bergheim leads from the school car park along Pfarrweg to the Maria Plain pilgrimage basilica and continues via Radeck and Kasern to the “der Jägerwirt” inn. This itinerary names a starting point, places along the way and a destination. It differs from the sequence of stations at the Calvary, which is defined by four chapels and the roofed Crucifixion group. If you are interested in either route, the places named provide concrete reference points for planning your own visit.

Radeck Castle is privately owned and is not open to visitors. The chapel can be visited by prior arrangement. If you plan to visit the chapel, enquire in advance about the possibility; this enquiry does not concern a visit to the castle itself.

Date of the Coronation Mass

The Coronation Mass is associated with Maria Plain and is performed every year on the fifth Sunday after Pentecost. As the calendar date shifts with the Pentecost holiday, check the date for the year you plan to visit if the Mass is a key part of your trip. This lets you distinguish a visit to religious art and historic sites from a possible event date, rather than treating them as the same reason to visit.

Discover more destinations: Elixhausen, Thalgau, Gschwand, Anthering, Ellmau, Viehhausen, Michaelbeuern, Hintersee.

For the higher-level travel overview: Salzburg-Flachgau.