Pilgrimage Church and Pauline Fathers’ Monastery MARIAHILF ob PASSAU (Germany)
URL: http://www.mariahilf-passau.de/en/klosteranlage1.php
Monastery
Pilgrimage Steps
The complex is not extensive, nor does it boast any magnificent architecture but it is a compact group of buildings that cleverly exploits its hilltop position. This makes Mariahilf an aesthetically pleasing place of pilgrimage which most pilgrims approach via the pilgrimage steps. This “heavenly ladder” (321 steps) is a covered staircase leading from the Passau Innstadt to the top of the hill. Pilgrims kneel and pray at each step, approaching the place of grace in a particularly memorable manner.
The design of the church interior is extremely simple but nevertheless rich in perspective and suited to the pilgrimage. The east bay of three-bay nave is interrupted by low transept arms. Behind this is the semi-circular choir, divided up by pilasters and barrel vaults. The west bay is occupied by a two-bay gallery. The walls of the nave consist of broad Tuscan pilasters connected by an entablature strip which also surrounds the choir.
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