History
Since 1184, monks have been present in a monastery, and a small hospice was built for travellers going over or having passed the Gampen Pass.
Three legends involving apparitions form the basis of the pilgrimage site's fame:
1. The image of Our Lady of Grace appears to the cloistered nuns. She requests that a church be built in the marshland, rather than on a hill as is customary.
During a break for hunters in the woods, Our Lady appears to a hunter, who is the Count of Thun.
3. A poor traveller staying in the forest near the Gampen Pass is robbed. He calls out to Mary and She comes to his aid.
In 1224 the monastery belonged to the Augustinians.
The current tower dates from the 13th century and is in the Romanesque style.
In 1321 there is a cheese farm by the monastery.
Around 1500, the churchyard chapel was realised.
In 1807, the pilgrimage site came under the authority of Benedictine monks.
Pilgrimage site
The pilgrimage site is called “Our Lady in the Forest” and is the oldest place of prayer in Tyrol. The village has about 1000 inhabitants and is located at approximately 1350 metres above sea level.
The current church is built in the Gothic style and dates from the 15th century. The tower is from the 13th century.
The high altar is in the Baroque style and has space for Mary. The miraculous image of Mary with Child stands in a glass shrine on the high altar. Both are surrounded by golden rays. Mary sits on a throne with her naked Child on her left knee. In her right hand, she holds a golden sceptre and a rosary is around her right arm. In the church, large paintings and a medallion of Mary with Child can be seen.
There are plenty of artistic expressions in this building; such as sculptures, paintings, and medallions.
Behind the church stands the burial chapel, and it is tall and large; a space for many guests.
A pilgrimage route with 14 stations leads between the pilgrimage church and the Church of Maria Himmelfahrt in Tisens.
The pilgrimage church is open daily.
ACCESSIBILITY
Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde/Senale is situated above Trent/Trento, not far from Bozen/Bolzano. The village is located in the north of the Non Valley, near the SS238 road in the province of Bozen/Bolzano.
Address: Obere Innere 21, 39010 Our Lady of the Wood.
Additional information is available at www.suedtirolerland.it.
Experience
After a drive over mountain passes, including the Gampenpass, you arrive in the village of Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde. Here stands the oldest pilgrimage church in South Tyrol at an altitude of over 1300 metres above sea level. The pilgrimage church is located in the centre of the village.
The exterior of the church has shown great class for centuries, as I take in the exterior. Next to the church, I also see the old graveyard chapel. Many decades of history were made here.
On the grounds of the pilgrimage site, there is an iron fence. When I soak up the atmosphere there and catch sight of the church door standing open, it feels like an inviting gesture to go inside.
When I enter the pilgrimage church, I experience a rather dark space with impressive statues and imposing paintings. High above the main altar stands the miraculous image. It is a seated Mary with her little Son on her knee. The effigy is housed in a glass shrine. How many pilgrims have stood here looking at Mary?
A side altar displays a fragment of a pilgrimage with statues of saints. A large painting depicts the Assumption of Mary.
At the back of the church, many ex-votos are affixed to the walls. They are expressions of popular devotion, as thanks to Our Lady. What beautiful things believers with passion can create for Mary. This art bears witness to many years of thanks in the church. What they have here are many expressions of folk art.
It reads that there are celebrations here to give thanks to Our Lady. I also read requests to Mary for improved health. Additionally, there are masses for pilgrims and special celebrations for participants in group pilgrimages.
Before leaving the church, candles are lit at the shrine of mercy. This is accompanied by prayers and thanking Mary for allowing me to visit this pilgrimage site. Afterwards, I think of friends and acquaintances who could use some help from Our Lady.
Environment
The route from the pilgrimage site to the Gampenpass has become a favourite hiking trail. The hike passes fossils millions of years old, discovered in the late 20th century. Immediately behind the highest point of the Gampenpass is a large bunker complex from the Second World War (1939-1945). At that time, it was the second line of defence, and now it houses, among other things, a photo exhibition of the construction of the road over the Gampenpass between 1935 and 1939. There is also an extensive collection of approximately 2500 stones on display. The climate inside the bunker is extremely suitable for cheese maturation, resulting in a special flavour of “Monte Mais Kofel” cheese from Nonsberg Heumlich. More information can be found at www.gampengallery.it.
From Tisens/Prissian to Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde is a 19 km journey southwards.
Visitors can admire the Church of Maria Himmelfahrt. The first, Romanesque church was already mentioned in 1194. The current one dates from the early 16th century, specifically 1500-1520. Remains of the first church have been found under the tower and walls. Stained-glass windows in the chancel date from 1520.
Next to the church, in the churchyard, stands the late 15th-century St. Michael's Chapel. A former chapel on the site of the current one is already mentioned in 1233. Beneath the chapel is an ossuary, but this charnel house is not accessible.
The oldest traces of habitation in and around Tisens go back some 6,000 years.
More information can be found at www.tisensprissian.com.
Travelling from Meran/Merano to Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde means moving 31 km southwards.
From Trent/Trento to Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde is 60 km north.
Leaving Bolzano to visit St. Mary in the Woods involves travelling 41 km to the west.
Travelling from the pilgrimage site of Maria Trens to "Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde" means travelling 105 km to the south.
Posted: 22 June 2024
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