A question for you: Have you heard about the painting of the Virgin Mary that survived a fire? That painting is central to the story of Ursprungskapelle Maria Plain. This chapel stands as a testament to faith, art, and the enduring power of a beloved image.
The Ursprungskapelle Maria Plain is more than just a chapel. It marks the very spot where the pilgrimage to Maria Plain began. It is a place of reflection and reverence.
Let’s journey back to the Thirty Years’ War. In 1633, the town of Regen in Bavaria was set ablaze. Amid the destruction, a painting of Mary miraculously survived unscathed. This was no ordinary painting. It depicted Mary with the child Jesus. This image became known as the Gnadenbild, or “image of grace.”
Argula von Grimming acquired the painting for her chapel. Her son, Rudolf von Grimming, later brought the painting to Salzburg in 1652. He placed it in Schloss Müllegg and then on the Plainberg. To house the image, he built a small wooden chapel. This humble structure was the first Ursprungskapelle Maria Plain.
Word spread about the miraculous painting. People began to flock to the chapel seeking solace and blessings. Archbishop Guidobald Thun recognized the growing devotion and ordered that the painting be venerated.
As the number of pilgrims increased, a larger church was needed. Between 1671 and 1674, the grand Maria Plain Basilica was constructed. In 1674, Archbishop Max Gandolf von Khuenburg consecrated the Basilica. However, Rudolf von Grimming had already left the Plainberg in 1653. Before his departure, he commissioned Johann Pereth to create a copy of the Gnadenbild. This copy remained in the wooden chapel.
The original Gnadenbild was returned to Maria Plain in 1732. It was placed on the high altar of the Basilica, where it remains today. The first copy of the Gnadenbild was placed back in the Ursprungskapelle. The original wooden chapel was replaced with a stone chapel in 1710.
Inside the Ursprungskapelle, you will find a replica of the Gnadenbild. This copy was made by Johann Franz Pereth around 1650. The crowns were added in 1751. The ceiling displays a painting of God the Father. It also depicts Rudolf von Grimming praying before the Gnadenbild. Statues of saints Rochus and Sebastian stand beside the altar.
The Ursprungskapelle underwent renovations and was rededicated in 2009. Today, the Ursprungskapelle stands east of the Basilica near the parking area. The Ursprungskapelle serves as a reminder of the humble beginnings of this important pilgrimage site.
As you stand before the Ursprungskapelle Maria Plain, remember its story. Remember the fire, the miracle, and the enduring faith that built this sacred place. It is a place where art, history, and spirituality converge.