Pilgrimage Church of Wies
Steingaden, Germany
10.04.2017
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a beautiful and unique example of Baroque architecture located in the small village of Steingaden in Germany. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike, drawn in by its stunning beauty and historical significance.
The church was built between 1745 and 1754 by the Bavarian architect Dominikus Zimmermann and his brother Johann Baptist Zimmermann. It was commissioned by a local farmer, who claimed to have witnessed tears of blood on a dilapidated wooden figure of the Scourged Saviour in his hayloft. This figure became known as the Miraculous Image of the Scourged Saviour and is still on display in the church today.
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a masterpiece of Baroque art and architecture. The exterior of the church is adorned with intricate stucco work and frescoes, while the interior is a stunning display of rococo design, with beautiful ceiling frescoes and a grand altar.
One of the most impressive features of the church is the organ, which was built by Johann Nepomuk Holzhey, one of the most renowned organ builders of the time. It is still in its original condition and is considered one of the most important organs of its time.
Aside from its impressive architectural and artistic features, the Pilgrimage Church of Wies also has a rich and fascinating history. It was visited by many famous figures, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was a great admirer of the church and its beauty.
The church also played a significant role in the Baroque era, as it was a popular pilgrimage site and a symbol of the Catholic faith and its revival after the Protestant Reformation.
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies continues to attract visitors from all over the world, who come to admire its beauty, history, and spiritual significance. It is a true gem of Baroque architecture and a must-visit for anyone interested in art, history, and religion.
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Miraculously preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, the Church of Wies (1745–54), the work of architect Dominikus Zimmermann, is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo – exuberant, colourful and joyful.
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (German: Wieskirche) is an oval Rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by brothers J. B. and Dominikus Zimmermann, the latter of whom lived nearby for the last eleven years of his life. It is located in the foothills of the Alps, in the municipality of Steingaden in the Weilheim-Schongau district, Bavaria, Germany. Because of its outstanding rococo architecture, the Wieskirche was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
