Photo: Pfarrei Forchtenstein

Wallfahrtskirche zu Mariä Himmelfahrt

Forchtenstein, Burgenland

The parish and pilgrimage church "Maria Himmelfahrt", first consecrated in 1347, is located in the middle of the village of Forchtenstein. For almost 300 years, monks of the Servite order ministered to the parish from the imposing monastery, which is attached to the parish church. The showpiece of the high altar is the Gothic statue of Mary with the Child. According to reports, this statue has always survived fires and other suffering unscathed.A special feature, unique in its size, is the Holy Staircase, which is located on the north side of the church. It measures over 20 meters in length and is a replica of the 28 steps that Jesus walked during his condemnation by Pilate.Church square with carillonIn 2019, a new church square with a carillon was created. The curved retaining wall symbolizes outstretched arms - like Mary's protective mantle - with the cylindrical chapel with a candle grotto, which bears the inscription "Ave Maria" in 16 languages, it is a center for contemplation. Above the chapel, the carillon is enthroned. In the middle, the large Jesus bell is flanked on each side by six apostle bells. Each bell bears the name of an apostle.The rays in the middle of the square show the distances and directions of major pilgrimage sites around the world.The bells, the inscriptions in the 16 languages, and the songs for the carillon were donated by people from the Forchtenstein population.The "Sorrows of Mary" meditation courtyardThe meditation courtyard is located on the north side of the church; one reaches it on the way to the Holy Staircase. This place of silence invites prayer, reflection, and meditation. The seven sorrows of Mary are at the center of contemplation.