Wilten Basilica

Since the Middle Ages pilgrims have come from all around to worship at what is today a true gem in the Tyrolean foothills, the Wilten Basilica. The church is famous for its statue of the Virgin Mary which is housed in a sanctuary made up of four gold-gilt columns holding up a marble roof. The rest of the interior is richly adorned with murals, sculptures and ornamental stucco.

Due to the ruins that have been unearthed here, there is a theory that the current Wilten Basilica was built on the site of an old church that dates back to the dawn of Christianity. It is known that a church was built here in 1259 and this was the church that began to attract pilgrims.

This church was demolished and the rococo building you see today was erected in 1756, chiefly to create a suitable shelter for the Virgin Mary statue. For this reason, the Wilten Basilica is often referred to as “Our Lady of the Four Pillars”.

From the outside the basilica looks relatively modest, with an uncomplicated gold and white design covering the two towers and central section of the building. That’s not to say that it’s not without its charm, but it certainly doesn’t give away anything of what you might find on the inside.

The main attraction once you step in is without doubt the bedazzling shrine to the Madonna. As well as this there are some breathtaking murals by Matthäus Gunther depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. You’ll also be drawn to the intricate plasterwork and statues of Franz Xaver Feuchtmayer and Anton Gigl.

Despite all the heavy ornamentation, there’s something about the interior that exudes a wonderful sense of ethereal lightness, making it the ideal place to sit and gather your thoughts.

The Wilten Basilica is on the southern edge of Innsbruck, about a 20-minute drive from the city centre. There are buses and trains running to within a stone’s throw of the church. It’s open daily, and entry is free of charge. The basilica is extremely popular and can get very busy, so it would be wise to avoid weekends and public holidays.