intangible cultural heritage

Going towards the sky – Pilgrimages in the Region

area : Kulturpark Eisenstraße
category : social practices
Pilgrimages to a significant religious area play a large role in the Kulturpark Eisenstraße, primarily due to the proximity to the notably famous Styrian pilgrimage area of Mariazell. Today, just as in earlier times, many communities take part in an annual pilgrimage, on foot, to Mariazell, starting during the night in order to arrive in Mariazell in the early morning hours.
Some of the communities also pilgrimage to neighbouring villages or affiliated churches in the area: such as the residents of Lunz am See and Ybbsitz to the pilgrimage church Maria Seesal in the municipality of Ybbsitz; the residents of Randegg visiting the parish of Gresten and vice versa; the residents of St. Georgen am Reith travelling to Opponitz; from St. Leonhard am Wald to Randegg; from Ybbsitz to St. Ägidi in the municipality of Waidhofen an der Ybbs; and from Scheibbs to St. Anton an der Jeßnitz. Pilgrimaging knows no boundaries, so pilgrimages are made also to the neighbouring provinces of Upper Austria and Styria, for example from Konradsheim (Lower Austria) to Maria Neustift (Upper Austria) and from Lower Austrian Lassing in the municipality of Göstling to the Styrian Palfau.

The reasons for the pilgrimages vary; the pilgrims could be fulfilling a promise made many years ago or commemorating a historical link between churches. For example, the residents of Konradsheim near Waidhofen an der Ybbs pilgrimage once every year to the “Heiliger Brunn in der Lettn” (holy well in the meadow), also known as “Donatusbründl”. The reason for this is a promise made to the Patron Saint of weather, Donatus, more than a hundred years ago (1898) after a terrible storm. Annually, in the fall, the Reinsberg parish holds “Feichsenbeten” (praying to Feichsen) in the Purgstall district of Feichsen, because it was owned by the Reinsberg parish for many centuries (between 1291 and 1973).

Even Sonntagberg, towering over the Ybbs valley with its baroque basilica, has a significant impact on the region. It is not only a destination for many pilgrims (for example, from the parishes of Purgstall an der Erlauf, Konradsheim, St. Leonhard am Wald or even the annual Mostviertler folk musicians pilgrimage), but also the famous “Mercy Seat” (representation of the Holy Trinity above the high altar) is depicted far away from the basilica (e. g. on wayside shrines, chapels, houses and so on).

Finally, it is worth noting the pilgrimage of the Fiaker (Viennese horse carriage drivers) to St. Leonhard am Wald, as St. Leonard is the patron saint of horned cattle, especially horses. This pilgrimage is first mentioned in the parish chronicle of St. Leonhard in 1826. Since 1973, modern means of transportation have been included and Viennese taxi drivers also come to St. Leonhard am Wald.
« back
DSC_6562_c_www.dphoto.at
DSC_6698_c_www.dphoto.at
DSC_6525_c_www.dphoto.at
 
Free Joomla Theme by Hostgator