For 1275 years, this town has been the spiritual center of Bavaria and for over 500 years the most significant pilgrimage site in Germany in the veneration of the Virgin Mary. Each year over 1 million pilgrims and visitors are drawn to the “Black Madonna”, a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary.
Opposite the altar the hearts of the Bavarian dukes, kings and electors are stored in richly decorated silver urns as a special sign of their deep and loyal ties to the Bavarian National Shrine. Among them is the heart of the “fairy tale king” Ludwig II. Due to the strong sentiments which the Bavarian people and their sovereigns have for the sanctuary of “Our Lady of Altötting”, the town was dubbed the “Heart of Bavaria”.
Preceded by Pope Pius VI in 1782 and Pope John Paul II in 1980, more recently Pope Benedict XVI visited what he referred to as his “spiritual homeland”. Two years later, as a token of his great esteem for the Marian shrine, he conferred the town with the Golden Rose.
A visit to Altoetting should include a visit to the Jerusalem Panorama – a monumental cyclorama showing the Crucifixion of Christ. One should not miss the Treasury and Pilgrimage Museum which houses the bridal wreath of the famous Austrian Empress “Sissi” that she donated to the Madonna of Altötting. The St. Mary´s Association’s “Exhibition of Dioramas” shows 22 dioramas which represent the history of pilgrimage in Altötting.
The pilgrimage town of Altötting is located in the lovely Upper-Bavarian Alpine region between Munich, Passau and Salzburg and just a short distance from lake Chiemsee with the famous fairytale castle, Herrenchiemsee.
The region around Altötting can be explored on foot on the numerous pilgrimage routes like St. James’s Way or by bicycle on the Benedict Trail, connecting the places where Pope em. Benedict XVI spent his childhood and youth.
Since yesterday, the Catholic Church has been in mourning. On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died. Today, we recall the pilgrimages to the cities of the Shrines of Europe that the Holy Father made during his pontificate.
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Dear Friends, On the occasion of Easter, we wish you joy, peace and many smiles during the first days of spring. May this special time be the beginning of new energy, inspiration and positive plans - also those related to travel!
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March was an exceptionally busy month for the partners of the Shrines of Europe Association. A lot was happening because we wanted to be present at the most important industry events in the field of tourism organized this month in Portugal. And you know what? We did it! We invite you to read the report from participation in the 12th edition of the International Workshop on Religious Tourism in Fatima and in the Better Tourism Lisbon tourism fair in the capital of Portugal.
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For centuries, the faithful have been hanging plaques for themselves and their loved ones on the façade of the Chapel of Our Lady in Altötting. Over the centuries, they have become one of the most recognizable and characteristic elements of this place, creating a chronological record of the history of prayers, hopes and fulfilled desires.
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According to a well-known Polish saying, love begins nowhere else but on a plate. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," say the Poles, and we fully agree with this statement! Today we present the must-haves on the menus of our cities and regions. Flagship dishes that you should try when visiting one of the Shrines of Europe cities. Delicacies that have their fans far beyond the borders of our countries. Enjoy your meal!
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Incense production in Altötting is a combination of centuries of tradition and passion, thanks to which the craftsmanship process makes each product unique in terms of scent and spiritual meaning. Its scent has something mystical about it, but often it helps us to simply relax. Learn about the history of incense from Altötting.
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