Maria Laach

A pilgrimage for the eye, soul and taste buds

Nestled in the heart of the Jauerling-Wachau natural park, surrounded by flowering meadows and expanses of deciduous forest and Christmas tree farms, is the market town of Maria Laach. This has been a recorded pilgrimage site for almost 1,000 years, and most of the medieval furnishings in its church still survive. A chapel was first mentioned here in 1263 – the same year in which St. Stephen's Cathedral in the remote Vienna was consecrated!

Religious significance aside, many hikers may first embark on another kind of pilgrimage: to the 24/7 self-service farmer’s shop in the town centre – a treasure trove of regional delicacies and beverages. Tthe unmanned shop operates on a trust-based payment model.

Did you know?

The former Zeissing castle complex, part of the Barony of Kufstein and the historical manorial system of Spitz, is around 700 metres northeast of the town centre. The picturesque setting and the ruins’ restored front façade are worth a visit.