Mariastein Castle

On a rock above Mariastein, Mariastein Castle (Schloss Mariastein) is enthroned, formerly known as "Burg auf dem Stayn" (Castle on the rock). In 1361, the donjon was built by the Masters of Freundsberg as a protection of the ancient Roman road. A few years later, the castle was sold to the Bavarian Dukes. The horizontal part was added in the 15th and 16th century. Since 1834, the castle is in possession of the Archdiocese of Salzburg. Interesting are the two chapels which are built one above the other: The upper chapel, the Chapel of Grace of Our Lady of Mariastein, houses a Rococo altarpiece from the 18th century, the lower one is dedicated to the Holy Cross.

The accompanying pilgrimage church, built around 1360 AD, has been a popular destination for many pilgrims since the Middle Ages. Legend relates that the Masters of Ebbs built a chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary in 1470. In 1587, Mariastein Castle was bought by Baron Karl von Schlurff, who took the statue to Bavaria for several times. But the next day the statue always was again on its place in the chapel. Still today the rock-hewn Virgin Mary is venerated in the Chapel of Grace.

Next to the Hotel Mariasteinerhof today the Mariastein Castle Museum is located. It shows several exhibits like sacral objects of gold and silver, pilgrimage boards and musical instruments. The most important pieces are the "Tiroler Landesinsignien" with the archducal hat and the sceptre, donated by the local ruler Maximilian the German Master around the year 1600. Today the castle is inhabited by clergymen, but the castle museum and the pilgrimage church are publicly accessible.