History
The Austrian master builder and architect Josef von Stadl/Josef Vonstadl (1828-1893) designed the church in 1874. The church was consecrated in 1875. The building is constructed in the Neo-Romanesque style.
The church is the first in this part of the municipality of Eppan.
Around the pilgrimage church, stations were made in 1986 by artist Robert Scherer (1928).
The pilgrimage church welcomes not only pilgrims but also many people for weddings.
Pilgrimage site
The small pilgrimage church is located at about 400 m above sea level and is built in the Neo-Romanesque style.
The miraculous image is located in the high altar. It is a copy of the famous image from the place Re, near the lake Lago Maggiore. The image has a legend: someone threw a stone at the image of Mary, and afterwards, blood came out of her forehead for three months.
Emblems from the Litany of Loreto are affixed to the ceiling of the church. These were painted by Johann Hintner (1834-1892), who studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
The church displays numerous ex-votos, including one as thanks for Mary saving a 3-year-old child from an accident on 3 May 1899. After praying to the Mother of God, the little one was unharmed.
Around the church are Stations of the Cross made of mosaic by Robert Scherer, who is a sculptor, stained-glass artist, printmaker, and painter. There is also a well at the pilgrimage church.
The pilgrimage church hosts many pilgrims and is a favoured place for weddings.
ACCESSIBILITY
The pilgrimage church is located in an industrial area, on the Südtiroler Weinstrasse.
The “Maria Rast Kirche” is located at Str. Madonna del Riposo 30, 39057 Zona Produttiva, San Michele-zona Mil, in the municipality of Eppan.
The Tourist Office is located at Rathausplatz 1, 39057 Eppan.
The rectory address is:
Parish of St. Michael Eppan, Kapuzinerstrasse 17, 39057 St. Michael/Eppan.
Actual information can be found at www.pfarrei-stmichael.it.
Experience
It takes a bit of searching in the municipality of Eppan before I stand in front of the church. On the edge of the industrial estate, the small church stands at a point where streets converge.
The little church is situated within a churchyard enclosure and is therefore well protected.
The facade is a clock tower with a round window. This window is a colourful rose window and invites the visitor to come closer. Above the entrance door I see the year 1875. The door is open and I go inside.
In the pilgrimage church, I am immediately struck by the intimate nature of being close to Mary here. A high arch displays the text “Ave Maria gratia plena”. This Latin means “Hail Mary, full of grace”. This gives me a feeling of security and I am happy to visit this little church.
The icon of grace touches me here too, and all sorts of thoughts come to mind, and a little later I pray to Our Lady. Some good people feature in my words to the Mother of God.
Afterwards, I'll walk around this little church and ex-votos and paintings catch my eye. Thanking Mary really crops up everywhere. How grateful people are when they've been helped.
I understand that the pilgrimage site is well-attended and I have contributed a little to that. I am enriched by the good feeling of being here. Thank you, Mary.
Environment
From Bozen/Bolzano to Eppan is 10 km to the southwest.
Departing from the pilgrimage site of Riffian to travel to Eppan is 36 km south.
Driving from Maria Trens to Eppan means travelling 76 km southwards.
Leaving the pilgrimage site of Martell/Martello to travel to Eppan involves going 67 km to the east.
Travelling from Meran/Merano to Eppan involves driving 30 km southwards.
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