Pilgrimage Church Maria Straßengel

The pilgrimage church Maria Straßengel is one of the most important gothic churches in Austria. It replaced an earlier chapel of before 1208. The pilgrimage site seems to have been founded by Margrave Otakar III of Styria in 1157. The laying of the foundation stone of this parish church was on August 15th, 1346 by the abbot of Rein, Hartwig von Emmerberg.

The reliefs in the west and south gates date from the 14th century and represent the Annunciation (west gate) and the Lamentation (south gate) and are further one of the most important masterpieces of 14th century relief art.

Emperor Joseph II ordered the closure of the church in 1788 and plans for a demolition were made. However, a petition by the people of the parish reached the reopening in 1789.