Slightly apart from the Wine Road, near Monte San Pietro at 1,520 m a.s.l., there’s the most important pilgrimage site of South Tyrol
Image gallery: Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site
On the Monte Regolo, 24 km from Ora on the Wine Road, the Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site (Maria Weissenstein) rises impressively. This popular excursion destination dates back to a Marian apparition in 1553, when Leonhard Weissensteiner, a hermit, fell into a deep gorge and the Virgin Mother appeared to him. From then on, the original chapel commemorated the event: Over the centuries, it has been developed into an impressive pilgrimage site.
The present Baroque pilgrimage church with its magnificent high altar covered with gold and silver leaf dates back to 1638, in 1722 the monastery next to it followed. The vault frescoes are by Adam von Mölk from Vienna. Votive tablets decorate the interior, as well as the original chapel. Outside there is the Chapel of St. Peregrin Laziosi, patron saint of cancer patients. However, the façade with the staircase, in front of which Pope John Paul II spoke to the pilgrims in July 1988, is well known far beyond the borders thanks to live broadcasts. Madonna di Pietralba can also be reached on a hike: A Way of the Cross with 14 stations starts in Laives, a shorter route starts in Aldino (30 minutes).
Contact info
- Pietralba / Weissenstein 9 - 39050 - Nova Ponente
- Guided tours or visits upon reservation.
- +39 0471 615165
- maria@pietralba.it
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
Pilgrimage church:
freely accessible
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guided tour:
voluntary donation
More information
The opening hours refer to the ones of the pilgrimage church: It stays open every day all year round and is freely accessible during the day. Visits are allowed if there are no church services.
Church service in German language on workdays at 10 am, on church holidays at 10 am, 2 pm and 4 pm. Church service in Italian language on workdays at 11 am and 6.30 pm, on church holidays at 9 am, 11 am and 3 pm, in summer also at 5 pm.
A guided tour to the discovery of history, art and tradition of the pilgrimage site is offered on Mondays and Fridays at 4 pm (reservation by phone till noon time, max. 10 persons).
