Churches invite people to reflect

Set amongst idyllic vineyards, at the foot of the imposing ruins of Falkenstein Castle, you will find the parish church of St Jakob in Falkenstein. The church is a shining example of early Baroque architecture and is dedicated to St James the Greater. The interior is just as impressive as the church’s exterior. Pilgrims will find the church’s most iconic feature inside – a Gothic Madonna carved from sandstone, as well as a rare depiction of the Holy Trinity above the high altar.

The history of the Maria Bründl pilgrimage church in Wilhelmsdorf – near Poysdorf – as a place of refuge and healing goes back a long way. In gratitude for being spared the plague, the parish built a chapel in the 16th century. Soon, pilgrims began arriving from near and far to wash themselves with the healing waters of the ‘Bründel’. Due to the large influx of visitors, construction of the present-day pilgrimage church began in 1740. Why not plan a stop here during your pilgrimage walk and find out more about the origins of the pilgrimage church?

Set amidst the greenery of Mistelbach, the Maria Rast pilgrimage church – as its name suggests – invites the tireless to stop off for a breather. However, Maria Rast is not only intended to remind us to allow ourselves breaks on the journey to self-discovery, but also serves as a reminder of times gone by: just as Mary rested during her flight to Egypt, so too did refugees after the Second World War find a new home in Mistelbach, where they could find peace.

The Oberleis pilgrimage church in the Leiser Mountains is a colourful blend of a wide variety of architectural styles from different eras. Begun in the Romanesque style in 1050, the church now also features Gothic and Baroque architectural elements. Behind the church, a landscaped Way of the Cross leads up to the Oberleiser Berg, from where you can enjoy a unique view over the gently rolling hills of the Weinviertel.

Visible from afar, the Holy Trinity Pilgrimage Church towers high above Karnabrunn. Whilst it is now a place of contemplation for the faithful, it was originally built out of gratitude for the averting of the plague that raged in the area around Karnabrunn in 1679. On your journey along the Weinviertel Way of St James, you should not only admire the pilgrimage church from the outside, but also take time to absorb the atmosphere inside. Here, the miraculous image on the left-hand side altar invites you to say a prayer.

One of the many highlights along the Weinviertel Way of St James is the Michelberg with its chapel. Having already covered half the route, it is a good opportunity to recharge your batteries in the chapel and let your gaze wander over the gently rolling expanses of the Weinviertel. The Michelberg has long been a popular place of pilgrimage, as records dating back to the 9th century attest. Thanks to archaeological finds, the Michelberg now also attracts those with an interest in history and culture.

St James’s Church in Leitzersdorf is the second St James’s Church along the Weinviertel Way of St James, after Falkenstein. Like the other three St James’s Churches along the route, the one in Leitzersdorf is also dedicated to St James the Greater – the patron saint of pilgrims. The church’s exterior is particularly impressive, especially its 14th-century Gothic side chapel. Be sure to plan a short stop here!

Even from a distance, the silhouette of the Maria Trost pilgrimage church can be seen on the so-called Kirchberg. The parish church is dedicated to Saint Stephen and, although originally built in the Gothic style, now shines in all its Baroque splendour following a Baroque renovation in the 18th century. The name of the pilgrimage church derives from a donation by the Beer family, who, following the birth of a son in 1679, donated a stone column depicting Our Lady of Grace. Today, the sculpture of the Virgin Mary is incorporated into the high altar.

The romantic village of Etsdorf am Kamp is home to the third St James’s Church on the Weinviertel Way of St James. In keeping with the village’s long tradition of pilgrimage, the church’s high altarpiece, dating from 1876, depicts St James. He is unmistakably depicted as a pilgrim: alongside a pilgrim’s staff, he also carries a Bible, a water bottle and a scallop shell. To fully immerse yourself in the spirit of pilgrimage, you really must visit this church.

The fourth and final St James’s Church awaits you just before Krems, in Brunn im Felde. The church was first mentioned in a document in 1108, although the present-day building was constructed in 1783. It is a Josephine-style hall church with a late Baroque nave and an integrated tower. Particularly worth seeing are the oldest part of St James’s Church – the chancel – and an impressive net-ribbed vault inside.