Every year, crowds of pilgrims come to Altötting, a small town located two and a half hours by train from Munich.
This is where the brother of Pope Benedict XVI, Father Georg Ratzinger, was born, while the Pope himself was born just a few kilometers away in Marktl. Pope Benedict XVI used to call Altötting the Heart of Bavaria, also saying that this unique Bavarian town is one of the hearts of the Old Continent.
The heart of Altötting is the historic chapel located in the town’s main square – Kappelplatz. Here stands a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, to whom pilgrims and believers from all over Europe have been turning with their concerns and intentions for over 500 years.
On the chapel’s facade, the faithful hang plaques asking for health for their loved ones, the safe birth of a son or daughter, or a secure return from distant travels. These plaques come in various shapes and sizes—usually small, made of metal, wood, or ceramic—serving as expressions of gratitude or pleas for help.
The tradition of hanging these plaques dates back at least to the 17th century, and some sources suggest it existed as early as the Middle Ages.
Some plaques depict images of the sick and suffering, illustrating ailments that have been healed, while others show scenes describing specific events, such as accidents or struggles with addictions. Modern plaques often take the form of stylized images or simple inscriptions like "Thank you," "Grace," or "Help." These plaques serve multiple purposes: they express personal gratitude for blessings received and the intercession of the Virgin Mary while also standing as a testimony of faith and hope. More than 2,000 such plaques now hang on the sanctuary’s facade, with new ones continuously being added. Their number, diversity, and the fact that they continue to be placed at the sanctuary testify to the ongoing and vibrant Marian devotion in Altötting, which remains strong despite the passing centuries.
Inside the chapel, on one of the plaques, there is an image of kneeling Max III Joseph, known as the "Silver Prince." His father, Archduke and Emperor Karl Albrecht, commissioned a silver figure of him, made from 41 pounds of silver, after the boy was cured of a deadly illness.
For many, the votive plaques in Altötting have cultural and artistic value. Handcrafted and beautifully decorated, they exhibit a distinctive regional style. Though their primary purpose is to express gratitude, they are also an important part of Bavarian folklore.
Today, these plaques are one of the most recognizable and characteristic elements of this place. Thanks to them, the sanctuary in Altötting has become a site of remembrance for those who have received help and for those still praying for a miracle. Each plaque represents not only an individual story but also a reflection of the spiritual life of the community. Placed in the sanctuary, they create a kind of chronological record of prayers, hopes, doubts, and, ultimately, the fulfilled desires of the faithful.
