Bavaria is home to many beautiful cities worth a day trip, such as Augsburg, Bamberg, or Freising. Not too far from Munich, however, lies a city that probably very few of you have on your radar. And that’s despite the fact that it’s an absolute tourist magnet: Altötting in the Inn-Salzach region. The town is known primarily for its Chapel of Grace, but it has much more to offer.
A pilgrimage site for 500 years
Half a millennium ago, a desperate mother brought her son, whom she believed to be dead, to the Chapel of Grace in Altötting. There, together with others, she prayed to Mary to save her child. Sure enough, her son then opened his eyes and was very much alive. This legend is the origin of the small town as a place of pilgrimage. Since then, numerous believers have made the pilgrimage to Altötting every year to visit the Chapel of Grace with the Black Madonna. The town now welcomes over a million visitors annually.
But even if you aren’t religious, the Chapel of Grace is a fascinating destination for you. Outside, you’ll encounter hundreds of votive images lining the path around the church. Inside, you’ll find magnificent decorations and, of course, the Black Madonna. But there’s something else to discover here: the heart urns of the Bavarian nobility. While the bodies of the Wittelsbachs are buried in the Munich crypts, their hearts rest in the Chapel of Grace in Altötting.
Discover and experience Altötting
Pope Benedict XVI described Altötting as “the heart of Bavaria and one of the hearts of Europe,” as the small town is one of the seven Shrines of Europe and thus one of the continent’s most important pilgrimage sites. In addition to the Chapel of Grace, you’ll discover other places of worship around Kapellplatz in the town center, such as the Collegiate Church and the St. Magdalena Monastery with its Jesuit church. But secular buildings also line the square, such as City Hall with its onion-domed tower and the 700-year-old Hotel zur Post.
In addition, the Altötting treasury houses the Golden Horse, a gift from Isabeau de Bavière of the House of Wittelsbach to her husband, Charles. The piece is among Europe’s most precious art treasures and is worth several million. If, on the other hand, you’re more interested in the town’s history than in opulence, be sure to check out the diorama exhibition featuring over 5,000 figures. Furthermore, Altötting regularly hosts town markets and festivals, such as the Kirta in the fall or the Christmas market during Advent. No matter when you stop by, there’s almost always something going on here!
