Maria Bild: Pilgrimage Church, Pilgrimage Routes and Nature

Maria Bild between Pilgrimage and Hiking Trails

Maria Bild combines a distinctive pilgrimage church with paths through forests, fields and the Saubach Valley. Those looking for a mix of culture, activity and nature for their holiday will find various starting points for planning their days here. Some of the routes begin at the Maria Bild pilgrimage church or lead back to it, while the Landweg crosses the entire municipality of Weichselbaum.

Church and Cultural Highlights

The Maria Bild pilgrimage church was built in 1793 under Abbot Marian Reuter of Heiligenkreuz and St. Gotthard. The high altar features a copy of the miraculous image of Maria Pötsch from Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. The high altar of the Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of Mary in Maria Bild was redesigned during the church restoration in 2014–2015. This means that the village is not only a starting point for hikes, but also offers specific details of art and church history for a quieter part of the day.

The cultural offering is complemented by the Kultur.Verein Maria Bild at the LandRastHaus Maria Bild. Cultural events such as cabaret, music shows, theatre workshops, and photo and art exhibitions are held there. The combination of the pilgrimage church and the association's programme gives a trip to Maria Bild a cultural dimension that can be explored independently of any individual hike.

Wasserweg, Engelweg and Landweg

The Wasserweg runs mainly along forest and field paths. Large sections lead through shady forests and along the banks of the Saubach. Pilgrimage stations and numerous meditative places amid nature line the route. Those who are looking not only for the route itself but also for quiet places to linger can take this character into account when planning their own outing.

The Engelweg is part of a historic pilgrimage route and leads from the Maria Bild pilgrimage church via a forest trail into the Saubach Valley. It passes the Weber Cross, then follows the Saubach eastwards and returns to the pilgrimage church via a short ascent through the forest. The Landweg also begins at the Maria Bild pilgrimage church and leads via a section of the Wasserweg and a forest path into the Saubach Valley. At 14.2 km, it is the longest and most demanding hiking trail and crosses the entire municipality of Weichselbaum. These differences help you choose for a day of your holiday between a route with a stronger pilgrimage focus, forest and stream landscapes, or a longer hike.

Viticulture and Practical Planning

Businesses along the Landweg are not open continuously and sometimes have flexible opening hours. For a wine tasting or a purchase from a direct-marketing business, you should therefore arrange an appointment with the respective business in advance. The Gratl Family Winery has roots dating back to the 18th century. Bioweinbau Oberkofler manages 3.5 hectares of vineyards as well as young olive groves, orchards, scrubland and forest. For organised hiking groups announced in advance, the Landweg includes wine-growing businesses along the route.

When looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation, the experiences you want can determine the right focus: Maria Bild itself is the named starting point for several routes and the pilgrimage church, while the 14.2 km Landweg requires its own day plan.

For further orientation, you can also visit the following places: Minihof-Liebau, Eltendorf, Mühlgraben, Sankt Martin An Der Raab, Poppendorf im Burgenland, Deutsch Kaltenbrunn, Heiligenkreuz Im Lafnitztal and Eisenberg An Der Raab.

For the overarching travel overview: Jennersdorf.