Two little shepherd boys discovered a carved image of the Virgin Mary. All inhabitants of the village hurried there and admired the picture! They took it to their village and took it to the parish church of Matrei.

Jakob Lusch, a modest young man from Matrei, heard a voice telling him to build a church up there where the boys found the Virgin´s image.

First the young man hesitated. But one day he fell asleep under a tree and heard the peal of bells. Then he saw a beautiful woman with a child in her arms.

In 1411 Jakob Lusch began to built the church of Maria Waldrast. The church was consecrated in 1429 and became one of Tirol´s most important pilgrimage place.

View of the Marienbrunnen well with its healing water. As legend has it, two blind pilgrims came here and got their eyesight back ...

The worship of Saint Peregrin already has a 300 year old tradition at the monastery.

Besides the Peregrini chapel in Innsbruck (dating back to 1731) Maria Waldrast is another art treasure in modern style. The picturesque chapel is place of peace and silence, which gives hope to all pilgrims.

Maria Waldrast is among Tirol´s oldest pilgrimage places.

Image of the Virgin Mary found in 1392
The former chapel was enlarged in 1622
Joseph II abolished the pilgrimage tradition in 1785
Reintroduction by the Servite friars
2nd abolition by Hitler´s regime in 1941
Return of Virgin Mary´s image and the Servite friars in 1945

Albino Luciani alias Pope John Paul I visited Maria Waldrast!

HISTORY

The "Orden der Diener Mariens" (Order of Mary´s servants) was founded by 7 Florentine merchants. The aim is to serve Mary under her permanent protection.

In 1614, Anna Juliana von Gonzaga, member of the order, founded it in Innsbruck in Tirol. 30 more monasteries were founded from this center.

Cf.: Pilgrimage church
Augustinian monk museum
Maria Luggau basilica