Wies Church
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site
A trip to the Wies Church, located approximately 15 miles from the Hotel Zum Hechten, is a must for many guests of the Neuschwanstein area. A rococo jewel and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A holy place for centuries
Those who go to the Wies Church and don’t know much about it will certainly ask themselves the question: what could possibly be the reason for someone building such an unusually gorgeous church in such a secluded place?
As a matter of fact, there are several kinds of unusual things here: tears, a human phenomenon, have become spiritual building blocks, valuable gems, that create this world-famous example of rococo style, the Wies Church.
This church became a place of worship in the 18th Century and even then was famous throughout Europe and considered a treasure of baroque architecture.
Back then as well as today, this chapel, begun in 1744 by Dominikus Zimmermann, displays unparalleled perfection which uses stone, stucco as well as light as pieces of the construction.
True religious pilgrims leave their car in Steingaden and walk about an hour to the church on a shady walking path.
History of the pilgrimage church
The history of the pilgrimage church goes back to the 18th century. On 14 June 1738, a true miracle happened on the Wies near Steingaden. Maria Lory discovered drops in the face of the Scourged Savior and thought they were tears. The phenomenon occurred again on the following two days. The message spread quickly and pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the village of Steingaden. In the year 1740, people decided to relieve the monastery and to build a pilgrimage church on the Wies. After a construction period of 10 years (1744-1754), the pilgrimage church of the Scourged Savior was consecrated on 1 September by the bishop Adelmann from Augsburg.
Opening hours of the Wies Church
The church is open daily:
- January/February 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- March/April 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- May bis August 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- September/October 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- November/December 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Except when there are concerts, highly frequented worship services and:
- Sunday & Catholic holidays from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm
- Tuesday from 10.00 am to 11.00 am
- Wednesday from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
- Friday from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm
- Saturday from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Guided tours take place from Tuesday to Saturday. Prior announcement via telephone is requested: +49 (0) 8862 93 2 93-0
More information on the opening hours can be found here: Wieskirche website
Worship services in the pilgrimage church
In the Wies Church, there are regular worship services at the following times:
- Sunday & Catholic holidays at 8.30 am & 11.00 am
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10.00 am
A special highlight are the pilgrimage days. These take place every Wednesday from May to October with the following program:
- 9.00 am opportunity to go to confession
- 10.00 am pilgrimage mass
Go for an excursion to the Wies Church and let yourself be enchanted by the extraordinary church and its stories!
Oberammergau Passion Play (30 miles from the Hotel Zum Hechten)
Oberammergau is a town in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district of Upper Bavaria. It lies on the Amper River in the Ammergau valley. Above all, Oberammergau is famous for its Passion Play which takes place every 10 years (most recently in 2010) as well as its local artisans (referred to in German as "Herrgottsschnitzer", or wood carvers) and the beautifully painted facades of its buildings and houses. Exquisite examples of this style of baroque painting include the facade on the "Forsthaus", "Mussldomahaus" and "Pilatushaus".
