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.
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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Dear Friends, On the occasion of the upcoming Christmas, the mayors of the Shrines of Europe cities send you a special message. We invite you to listen to the wishes in all Shrines of Europe languages.
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November has arrived. One of those less pleasant months of the year – the days are getting shorter, it is cold and dark. November days will certainly brighten up our evenings spent at home, under a blanket, with a cup of warm cocoa, brightened by the glow of candles. Exactly – candles. Where did the tradition of burning them actually come from? Have you ever wondered about it?
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World Tourism Day, celebrated every year on 27 September, is an important holiday that celebrates the role of tourism in our lives, its impact on the economy, culture, sustainable development and international relations. This year's theme of the celebrations, "Tourism and Peace", fits perfectly with the mission of the Shrines of Europe Association.
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Altötting will soon host the traditional Monastery Market. For the twentieth time, numerous monastic communities, monasteries and abbeys from Germany and abroad will present their traditional products and products from the monastery workshops, pantries, vineyards and breweries on the main town square, Kapellplatz, next to the Chapel of Grace. Of course, Altötting will also have a Shrines of Europe stand!
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