Maria Dreieichen: Pilgrimage, Culture and Trails

Maria Dreieichen combines a history of pilgrimage, sacred art and trails through a striking landscape. The pilgrimage church lies above the Horner Basin at the elevation of the Manhartsberg. This makes the village a special destination for travellers who want to experience culture in connection with landscape and movement rather than in isolation. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can consider whether you want to focus your stay primarily on the basilica and its history, the historic pilgrimage trail or the trails around Marienbründl.

Pilgrimage Basilica and Sacred Art

The focal point is the two-towered pilgrimage church of Maria Dreieichen. Construction of the present church began in 1744, and the towers were completed in 1818. In 1957, Maria Dreieichen was elevated to the status of a papal Basilica minor. The furnishings also make the church a worthwhile cultural destination: the altarpieces were created by Thomas Friedrich Gedon, Bergl and the Kremser Schmidt. The organ was made by the Viennese master Anton Pfliegler and still has its original 1789 mechanism.

A distinctive detail can be found behind the high altar. The blackened trunks of the “three oaks” can still be seen there. Such specific details give the pilgrimage church a history of its own and also make it an interesting place to visit for travellers who are not interested exclusively in architecture.

Treasury and Current Information

The pilgrimage church includes a treasury containing votive paintings and votive offerings from pilgrims dating back to the period since the end of the 18th century. The treasury is currently inaccessible due to renovation work and water damage. Therefore, do not plan this part as an available item on your itinerary. Nevertheless, the other historical aspects of the village remain an independent reason to choose Maria Dreieichen as a destination for cultural and pilgrimage interests.

Historic Trails and Marienbründl

Since the 17th century, the historic pilgrimage trail from Znaim to Maria Dreieichen has connected South Moravia with the Weinviertel and Waldviertel regions. For your travel planning, this connection offers a chronological and regional perspective on the pilgrimage destination. Those wishing to combine culture and physical activity can also consider the local circular trail. It begins at the car park in Maria Dreieichen.

Another point of reference is Marienbründl. At the end of the trail to Marienbründl lies the Maria Dreieichner Grasel Cave. According to tradition, the Grasel Caves near the spring served as hiding places for the robber chief Grasel. The nearby Bründl Chapel also contains a relief of the miraculous image of Maria Dreieichen. In this way, sacred history, local tradition and a trail destination can be brought together as a personal focus for an excursion, without combining the individual places into an unsubstantiated single route.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Trip?

A holiday apartment in Maria Dreieichen is particularly suitable if you want to structure your stay around the interests of your travel group: the basilica and its furnishings represent art and history, the pilgrimage trail represents a historic connection across several regions, and Marienbründl with the Grasel Caves adds trail destinations and local tradition to the theme. For further orientation, you can also include other nearby places in your search:

Klein-Reinprechtsdorf, Sankt Marein, Sigmundsherberg, Straning-Grafenberg, Messern, Langau, Eggenburg and Geras.

To the main travel overview: Horn.