Pilgrimage Church and Pauline Fathers' Monastery, Passau

The Pilgrimage Church of Mariahilf, dramatically perched high above the Innstadt, is a standout landmark with its distinctive baroque architecture and towering prominence. Connected to it is the Saint Paul Monastery, a baroque relic of the 17th century, which holds its own as an important pilgrimage destination dedicated to Saint Mary.

Within the grandeur of the church, the miraculous image of Saint Mary situated at the high altar attracts believers from around the world. Although it's only a copy of the original, this doesn't diminish the image's spiritual and historic significance. The original painting was created by Lucas Cranach and gifted to Leopold, Archduke of Austria and the Prince Bishop of Passau in 1611. Prior to Leopold relocating to Tyrol as its sovereign, he had the local painter Pius create a duplicate, leaving the original behind in the Saint Jakob parish church in Innsbruck.

The fame of the copy of Saint Mary's image can be attributed to Leopold I of Habsburg, the emperor who sought refuge in Passau in 1683 when Turks besieged Vienna. Leopold I and his court, during their exile, would pray daily before the picture of the Virgin Mary for the city's salvation. The phrase "Maria Hilf," translating to "Mary, help," resonated as a rallying cry in the conflict against the Turks. The decisive victory at the Battle of Kahlenberg cemented the image's status as the national symbol of the Habsburg family.

A long, covered stairway with 321 steps, adorned with a plethora of votive tablets, serves as the pathway leading up to the pilgrimage chapel.

The Pilgrimage Church of Mariahilf was once a Capuchin monastery until 1803 when secularisation took place. This changed in 1890 when the church returned to its monastic roots. Since 2002, the church and the adjacent monastery have been under the stewardship of the Order of Saint Paul, preserving the rich history and deep spiritual legacy of these remarkable landmarks.