Pöstlingbergkirche (Seven Sorrows of Mary)

The Pöstlingbergkirche, also known as the Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, is a Roman Catholic parish and pilgrimage church located on the summit of the Pöstlingberg, a hill overlooking the city of Linz in Austria. The church, which was founded in the 18th century and elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1964, is one of the most prominent landmarks of Linz and a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike. The church is dedicated to the seven sorrows of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and celebrates her feast day on September 15th. The church is also home to a miraculous image of Mary as Mater Dolorosa, or the Sorrowful Mother, which is believed to have performed many miracles and healings since its arrival on the Pöstlingberg in 1716.

The History of the Pöstlingbergkirche

The origin of the Pöstlingbergkirche dates back to the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, 1716, when a lay brother named Franz Anton Obermayr, who served as the “outgoer” of the Capuchin monastery at Urfahr, a district of Linz, carried a wooden figure of Mary as Mater Dolorosa to the Pöstlingberg and attached it to a weather cross. The figure, which was sculpted by Linz artist Ignaz Josbt, depicted Mary with a pierced heart and a crown of thorns, expressing her grief over the passion and death of her son. Obermayr, who later became a hermit on the Pöstlingberg, had a great devotion to Mary and wanted to honor her on the hill, which was considered a sacred place by the local people.

The figure soon attracted the attention and veneration of the faithful, who reported many miracles and graces attributed to the intercession of Maria Pöstlingberg, as she came to be known. In 1720, a wooden chapel was built to house the figure and the numerous votive offerings that were brought by the pilgrims. The chapel, however, proved to be too small and inadequate for the growing number of visitors, and so a larger and more magnificent church was planned. The construction of the church was supported by two noble patrons, Joseph Gundomar Graf Starhemberg and Heinrich Maximilian Graf von Starhemberg, who donated land and money for the project. The church was designed by master builder Johann Matthias Krinner, who followed the Baroque style of architecture. His son, Franz Xaver Krinner, is credited with the design of the church’s facade. The church was built between 1742 and 1748, and the miraculous image was transferred to the finished choir in 1747. The church was consecrated in 1786, and in the same year, it was elevated to the status of parish church.

The church underwent several modifications and renovations over the years. From 1891 to 1892, the tower helmets were added according to the plans of architect Raimund Jeblinger. The roof structure was damaged by fires in 1919 and 1963, and was repaired accordingly. The balustraded forecourt was completed in 1937. In 1964, Pope Paul VI granted the church the title of minor basilica, a recognition of its historical and spiritual significance. Since January 1, 2023, the church has been one of eight parishes in the Linz diocese’s Urfahr parish.

The Architecture and Art of the Pöstlingbergkirche

The Pöstlingbergkirche is a cross-domed church with a circular central space. The cross connects the longitudinal and transverse spaces, creating a harmonious and balanced composition. The area in front of the entrance with the organ gallery is small, as are the transepts, but the west-facing chancel is long and spacious. The pendentive dome is supported by corner spandrels over the four rounded corners of the crossing in the central chamber. A facade structure with the portal was built in the east, near the entrance. A two-armed staircase leads to the gate, and a small terrace serves as a waiting area in front of it.

The facade of the church is one of its most striking features, with a beautifully constructed double-tower facade, the middle section of which slopes slightly forward. The twin-tower facade dominates the skyline of Linz and is visible from afar. The front is white with a light pink decoration, and the finely articulated tower helmets are black. The cross-dome church is formed by the other smooth facade. The Steinbloss style of the Mühlviertel, a region of Upper Austria, can be seen on the right transept facade. Clapboard with fiber cement boards is used on the right and back facades. The left longitudinal facade is unstructured and simply plastered, with a painting with a sundial depicting Franz Anton Obermayr carrying the miraculous image to the newly erected church in the chancel area. The hipped roof covers the dome. The symmetrical lower two-story additions extend from the chancel angle to the apse. The sacristy on the ground floor and the oratory chapel on the top floor are located to the south. The votive chapel and a mortuary are on the ground floor, while the so-called old school is on the top story.

The interior of the church is richly decorated with paintings, sculptures, and stucco work. The main attraction is the miraculous image of Maria Pöstlingberg, which is placed in a silver frame above the high altar. The image is surrounded by seven paintings depicting the seven sorrows of Mary, which are the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of Jesus in the temple, the meeting of Jesus and Mary on the way of the cross, the crucifixion, the descent from the cross, and the burial of Jesus. The paintings were created by Johann Baptist Spaz and Johann Baptist Wenzel Bergl in the 18th century. The high altar, which was designed by Johann Matthias Krinner and executed by Johann Georg Hittinger, is made of black marble and features four spiral columns with golden capitals. The altar also contains the relics of Saint Florian, the patron saint of Linz, and Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of plague victims. The side altars are dedicated to various saints and themes, such as Saint Joseph, Saint Anthony of Padua, the Holy Family, the Holy Trinity, the Immaculate Conception, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The pulpit, which was carved by Johann Georg Hittinger, is adorned with figures of the four evangelists and a statue of Saint Paul. The organ, which was built in 2022 by Freiburger Orgelbau Hartwig and Tilmann Späth and was designed aesthetically by Valie Export, a contemporary Austrian artist, is a modern and artistic addition to the church. The organ is embellished with a wide metal belt bearing the inscription “He who understands has wings.” Valie Export also created the piece “Oh Lord, Don’t Let Them Drop That Atomic Bomb on Me”, which is a sound installation that plays every hour and contrasts the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of the church with the threat of nuclear war.

The Pöstlingbergkirche is a remarkable example of Baroque architecture and art, as well as a living testimony of the faith and devotion of the people of Linz. The church is not only a place of worship, but also a cultural and historical treasure that attracts visitors from near and far. The church is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and guided tours are available upon request. The church can be reached by car, bus, or the Pöstlingbergbahn, a historic tram that runs from the main square of Linz to the top of the hill. The Pöstlingbergkirche is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and spirituality of Linz.

Linz, Austria