A hollow oak tree. That’s where it all began at Maria Eich. Imagine two blacksmiths from Planegg. In 1712 they placed a small statue of Mary and the baby Jesus inside a hollow oak. People prayed there. Their prayers were answered. Maria Eich’s story is rooted in this humble beginning. This pilgrimage site near Planegg is more than just a church. It’s a place steeped in history and faith.
The initial wooden chapel was built around this significant oak tree. A lightning strike in 1805 destroyed the tree’s crown. Yet the pilgrimage continued. The remaining trunk of the oak tree remains a central feature of the Gnadenkapelle. It is visible behind glass near the high altar. That’s pretty amazing right?
The chapel was expanded several times. Two side chapels and an open-air altar were added in the 1780s. Later expansions included a new winter church in the 1950s. This church was remodeled and redesigned more recently between 2007 and 2008. The altar was consecrated in 2008 by Weihbischof Engelbert Siebler.
The Augustinian hermits took over pastoral care in 1953. They expanded the existing hermitage to create a small monastery. Today three Augustinian fathers and a brother reside at Maria Eich. The main Sunday service draws approximately 300 people. This highlights the enduring popularity of this sacred place.
But the story of Maria Eich extends beyond its buildings. There is also a 40-hectare oak-hornbeam forest. It’s called the Klosterwald Maria Eich. Approximately 50 oaks in this forest are 250 to 300 years old. These ancient trees are known as Methuselah trees. They represent precious habitats. An investigation in 2015 revealed 238 xylobiont beetle species in the forest. Among them were 88 red-listed species. Some are found only in very old and particularly deadwood-rich forests. This speaks volumes about the rich biodiversity of this area.
Even today people leave notes on the walls around the oak tree’s trunk. They write down their hopes. Their worries. Everything they carry in their hearts. Several times a year these notes are removed. They are carefully collected and burned in an Easter bonfire. This is a touching tradition. It speaks to the collective human experience at Maria Eich.
Pilgrims have been drawn to Maria Eich for centuries. Their journeys reflect faith and hope. Even today Maria Eich remains a place of quiet contemplation. It offers respite from the hectic pace of modern life. So take a moment to reflect on the stories within the walls of Maria Eich. Feel the spirit of this special place.