A Warm Welcome to Altötting

As the spiritual centre of Marian worship in Bavaria, the Gnadenkapelle [Chapel of Mercy] is the destination of more than a million pilgrims from all over the world every year. The little chapel is home to the Bavarian national shrine: the image of Our Lady of Altötting, commonly known as the "Black Madonna".

The Altötting Treasure Chamber houses a work of art of inestimable value: the Goldene Rössl (the Golden Horse), a Marian altar made of gold enamel which was crafted in the workshops of the Paris Court in 1404. Experts consider it to be one of the most precious treasures in Europe.

The Stiftspfarrkirche (Monastery Parish Church) was the last of the Gothic hall churches built in southern Germany and was erected between 1499 and 1511 to respond to the increased flow of pilgrims following the two miracles in 1489.

A unique painting awaits you here. The Jerusalem Panorama Crucifixion of Christ takes you on a time journey to the origins of Christianity, more precisely to the day of the crucifixion of Christ and to the dramatic events taking place in the year 30 AD. This painting is the only remaining historical panorama of Germany and is a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

Following the beatification and canonisation of Friar Conrad, Altötting became home to a second pilgrimage attraction: the tomb of Saint Conrad. The shrine of the saint is in Friar Conrad Church, which was renovated in 2018.

Apart from Friar Conrad Church you can also visit the meeting rooms of the saint. Take a look at his place of work, the Old Gate or at the death cell of Friar Conrad.

This is where the pilgrimage history of Altötting comes alive. In the diorama show the highlights of Altötting's pilgrimage history are depicted in three-dimensional spatial images. The Altötting Marienwerk building also houses a cinema where you can see an old Marian film. This film is one of the 100 national treasures of Bavaria.

Altötting's largest church was built at the beginning of the 19th century when pilgrimages flourished. It seats more than 8,000 people! In 1913 Pope Pius X elevated it to the status of a papal basilica.

The former Jesuit St. Magdalene Church fascinates with its lavish and elaborate stucco in typical Jesuit baroque style. Today the church belongs to the Capuchin monastery of St. Magdalene.

Incense is closely linked to Altötting, the place of mercy. In the incense museum you can learn how incense is produced and can smell its different scents.