Frauenberg Pilgrimage Church

History

The origin story of the church states: In the spring of 1404, the flood-prone Enns carried a wooden statue of Mary, which got caught in the bushes at the foot of Kulm. A light phenomenon on the following night, which was the Saturday before the second Sunday after Easter, led to the discovery of the statue. Abbot Hartnid of Admont initially built a wooden chapel for the Mary statue at the summit of Kulm, but it soon proved too small and was thus replaced by a larger stone church. In 1420, the designation Our Lady of Frauenberg first appeared. As early as the beginning of the 16th century, the parish of Frauenberg was documented. Since then, it has been continuously cared for by Admont Benedictines. The Baroque period fundamentally changed Frauenberg: After 1682, the nave was baroque expanded, and the rectory was significantly enlarged. Under Abbots Urban Weber and Adalbert Heuffler of Rasen and Hohenbühel, the pilgrimage site largely took on its present form. The castle-like rectory (Superiorat) received its current appearance during this time: Inside, there are splendidly furnished rooms, some of which now serve as living quarters for the priest. Abbot Antonius von Mainersberg had the two eastern towers built, and Stift sculptor Josef Stammel created a new grace altar in 1740. The 18th century is considered the peak period for the pilgrimage site; up to 60,000 pilgrims were counted each year.

Present

The last 35 years have been marked by significant renovation work: Under Abbot Benedikt Schlömicher, the rectory was meticulously reconstructed according to historical aspects. On the ground floor, a pilgrimage shop and the parish office were established. From 2013 to 2014, the church underwent extensive interior restoration. Along with altars, frescoes, and church benches, the Baroque organ was also restored. In 2018, the church underwent thorough exterior renovation, during which the Baroque, cream-colored facade design was restored. Since 2015, during the tenure of the current priest P. Prior Maximilian Schiefermüller OSB, Frauenberg has formed a parish association with Ardning and the parish of Hall.

Service schedule / pilgrimages / monthly pilgrimages