[World Heritage] What is the Pilgrimage Church of Wies?｜A Miraculous Church Standing in the Meadows!

At the end of Germany’s Romantic Road lies the town of Füssen. A bit further away is the town of Steingaden (Wies), home to the Pilgrimage Church of Wies, a World Heritage Site visited by many people throughout the year. It is a pure white church standing alone in the lush green meadows of Steingaden.
At first glance, it looks plain and doesn’t seem like the kind of church that would be recognized as a World Heritage Site, but the inside is another world! A breathtakingly beautiful and majestic scene unfolds that leaves visiting tourists in awe. The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is also famous as the “Miraculous Church.” Now, let’s introduce it in detail!

What is the Pilgrimage Church of Wies

“Wies” in German means “meadow.” The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a pure white church built on the peaceful pastures of Steingaden, where cows and sheep graze. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1983.
In 1738, a farmer’s wife witnessed a statue of Christ (the “Scourged Christ”) that she had received from a monk shedding tears of blood. News of the miracle spread, and pilgrims began to gather at the farmhouse. In 1740, a small chapel was built, but it could not accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. Therefore, in 1746, construction of the current Pilgrimage Church of Wies began.
Inside the church, there is a famous ceiling painting praised as a “jewel fallen from heaven.” This World Heritage church standing in the meadow is well worth a visit!

Access to the Pilgrimage Church of Wies

It is convenient to access from Munich Airport
From Munich to the Pilgrimage Church of Wies is about 100 km, and if you rent a car, you can arrive in about 1 hour.

From Munich to Füssen takes about 2 hours by train, and from the town of Füssen, it is about 45 minutes by local bus.

There are day tours and Romantic Road buses operating from Munich, which you can also use.

Recommended Point ① of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies: Luxurious Rococo Interior

The exterior of the World Heritage Pilgrimage Church of Wies is rather plain, but once you step inside, it overwhelms its visitors. At the time of its construction, it was decorated with stucco (ornamental plaster) by the Zimmermann brothers, who lived nearby, and the church interior is filled with motifs of angels, saints, and Christ.
Among them, the altar where the “Scourged Christ” statue is placed and the grand ceiling painting created by the elder Zimmermann brother feature vivid colors and magnificent decorations! The depictions of the Resurrection of Christ and the Last Supper leave viewers in awe. These are considered masterpieces of German Rococo style and truly deserving of being preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Furthermore, the younger Zimmermann brother, who directed the construction, had deep affection for this World Heritage church. After the church was built, he constructed a house in front of it in Steingaden and lived there until his death.

Recommended Point ② of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies: The Scourged Christ Statue

The “Scourged Christ” statue, which was the reason for building the World Heritage Pilgrimage Church of Wies, was made by a monk of the Steingaden Monastery. However, its appearance was so distressing that it had been stored away in the monastery attic.
A farmer’s wife received it and prayed to it devoutly. Then, on June 14, 1738, the Christ statue suddenly shed tears of blood. The story of this miracle spread, and many believers gathered to see the “Miraculous Christ Statue.”
Today, in this World Heritage church, you can see the “Miraculous Christ Statue” on the main altar. Placed between a red pillar symbolizing “Christ’s blood” and a blue pillar symbolizing “God’s grace,” the Christ statue rests on a lavish altar of gold and marble, where angels appear to be dancing—truly befitting a World Heritage Site.

◎ Summary

How was the Pilgrimage Church of Wies? The “Miraculous Church” standing in the meadow has a fascinating history leading to its construction. In summer, music concerts are held here. The solemn sounds of the pipe organ are well worth listening to. Be sure to visit the World Heritage Wies Church!

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[World Heritage] What is the Pilgrimage Church of Wies?｜A Miraculous Church Standing in the Meadows!