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ÖSTERREICH | AUSTRIA |
Bundesland: Burgenland | |
Bezirk: Neusiedl am See |
The
Basilica Maria auf der Heide (Our Lady on the Heath) in Frauenkirchen
is the most important pilgrimage site in Burgenland.
The site was visited by numerous pilgrims already in the 14th century. The oldest church and the town were
destroyed by the Turks during the time of the first siege of Vienna (1529) and for more than 100 years the
church remained in ruins.
From 1622 the area was in possession of the Esterházy
family who decided to rebuild both village and church.
Following a second raid by the Turks (1683) a new church was built but it soon
proved to be too small to accomodate all the pilgrims. Prince Paul I Esterházy
(1635–1713, see also Eisenstadt), Palatin of Hungary,
then decided to build the church which we see today. It was erected by Franz Martinelli
1695–1702 in splendid Baroque style.
In 1990 the church received the papal title of Basilica minor.
(see also list of other basilicae minores depicted on glasses of this collection)