How to Visit Pilgrimage Church of Wies
Read our guide on Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche), Germany. Includes tips on what to see, how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Sitting quietly at the foothills of the Bavarian Hills, the cream-colored Wieskirche is a famous pilgrimage site and popular side trip among tourists road-tripping southern Germany.
More than one million people come to pray and admire the Rococo architecture each year, so we were pretty curious to find out what's so special about it.
A big part of the increased popularity among tourists is the fact that Wieskirche was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
It's also fairly close to Neuschwanstein, the fairy tale castle that's on every Bavaria itinerary, so there are all the reasons to stop by, even it was not originally planned.
But what about the church itself? Is it really worth seeing? Let's find out.
Even though visiting Pilgrimage Church of Wies is as straightforward as possible, we made this guide to help you make your trip go smoothly.
Visiting Pilgrimage Church of Wies
We started our day in Augsburg, where we spent a night after a long day in Legoland. The next morning, we hit the road early, as our next destination was the iconic Neuschanwstein.
Our Neuschwanstein tour started at 9 AM, so we had to make sure to get there on time.
We spent the morning in this area, explored the nearby Hohenshwangau, and briefly stopped at Fussen. In the afternoon, only two stops remained on our itinerary: Wieskirche and Linderhof Palace.
Parking
It took us about 30 minutes to reach the parking area at Wieskirche from Fussen. The first thing that we noticed was that the parking lot was pretty much empty.
We knew the church was heavily visited, but seeing only a few cars parked there and no bus tours surprised us.
The car park was not free and cost a few euros, which we paid for using the ticket machine.
There were some kiosks, souvenir shops, etc., but almost everything appeared closed.
History
We believe there's a need for a short introduction and a glimpse into the history of Pilgrimage Church of Wies before we continue to help you understand why this site is so famous in the first place.
Unlike some ancient pilgrimage sites we visited, for instance, in Jerusalem, this one is relatively 'recent.'
But the story is no short of compelling. So what happened at Wies, and why it became so important?
On June 14, 1738, a local woman who had a wooden figure of the Scourged Saviour in her home saw that the statue started to shed tears.
The miracle brought a focus of believers who rushed to Wies to see it for themselves, putting this small community on the map.
They were the first pilgrims coming to this area, and as they rose in numbers, a small chapel was built here in 1740 to accommodate them.
It was quite small and basic, and soon enough, it became insufficient. So, it was decided that a large church with adequate capacity should be built on this spot.
Wieskirche was designed in the late 1740s by Zimmermann borthers and completed in 1754.
Dominikus was the main architect, while Johann Baptist was responsible for the frescoes.
Due to its outstanding value, the Wieskirche was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983.
The UNESCO status made this pilgrimage site even more popular among regular tourists passing by on their way to the iconic Neuschwanstein, so you can be sure you won't have this site for yourself.
We were one of them, though we visited both sites in reversed order.
Earlier, we mentioned that more than one million people visit this place yearly, which is a crazy number for such a relatively small church in the middle of the Bavarian countryside.
Wieskirche Visit
The church was about two or three minutes from the parking lot, but the walk felt much longer due to strong wind gusts and freezing temperatures.
The Rococo church looks simple from the outside, especially compared to the lavishly decorated interior.
I've seen some almost idyllic photos of the church amid the green farmlands with the Bavarian Alps in the backdrop, probably from the late spring or early summer, but the day we were there, it was really cloudy, and the whole scene looked pretty grim.
We walked around the church for a bit and took some pictures, but honestly, there was not much to see, so we headed inside after a few minutes.
As we stepped in and passed through the massive wooden door, the first impression was even more tranquil than we had anticipated when we saw the empty parking lot.
There weren't more than five or six other people inside, quietly admiring all the beauty around them.
We joined the silent group and made our way slowly toward the further end of the nave. Growing up in Czechia means we're familiar with churches, as you can find them on every corner.
So we knew that the intricate altar, modern organ, and stunning ceiling fresco made quite a stunning scene, but perhaps not as impressive as to someone coming from the U.S. or Asia.
We quickly decided that if this was supposed to work for us, we needed to know what we were actually seeing.
So we headed back to the vestibule and purchased the basic booklet for around €7 (we paid by cash). That was a great investment, as it made all the difference. It's a small investment but worth every penny.
So we just sat there, read about everything we saw, and the time passed by.
What to See Inside the Pilgrimage Church of Wies
There were several highlights in the Pilgrimage Church of Wies that we would have missed without the booklet.
The first thing we noticed was the altar area, the main focal point of the whole nave area. It was right in front of our eyes right from the start, so we headed there first.
It's beautifully decorated and contains the figure of the Scourged Savior. This is the wooden statue that's behind the whole miracle and pilgrimage story.
Then, we explored the smaller side chapels with altars and statues dedicated to various saints and admired the beautiful organ above the entrance and the stuccos, paintings, and choir.
Then we finally looked to fully appreciate the amazing frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann depicting Christ as the Savior of the World or showing scenes from the Passion of Christ. There's relatively a lot to take in.
Just before we were ready to leave, a big group of people from a bus tour entered the church, completely changing the energy inside and giving us a glimpse into how busy the church can get when more people arrive at the same time during the peak season.
Outside, we were greeted by the relentless wind once again, so we didn't linger and headed straight back to our car.
Our next stop was the Linderhof Palace, though we weren't sure we could make it for the last tour. Spoiler alert. We did, but that's another story.
Opening Hours
Pilgrimage Church of Wies is open all year round, but opening hours vary by season. Wieskirche is open from November to February from 8 AM to 5 PM.
The church is open from March to April and September to October from 8 AM to 7 PM. In the peak season, May to August, Pilgrimage Church of Wies is open from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Even though Pilgrimage Church of Wies has become one of the most popular attractions in this part of Bavaria, it's still predominantly a place of worship.
Wieskirche is closed during church services, plus you should always check for any special events that may affect opening times.
The official website even has a calendar with days and hours (marked by green, yellow, and red colors) that clearly shows potential time windows for your visit.
We visited on Friday during the yellow time frame, and everything was fine.
If the church is closed for service, you can still at least admire it from the outside or wait until the event ends.
Entrance Fee
There's no entry fee to Pilgrimage Church of Wies, though donations are appreciated. The donation box can be found right by the entrance.
Keep in mind the attraction is not entirely free if you arrive by car as you still need to pay a few euros for parking.
How Much Time Do I Need
We spent about an hour or so at Wieskirche, but mostly because we purchased the introductory booklet at the entrance and read about everything we saw around us.
Without it, the visit would have been much shorter.
If you're pressed for time or churches are not your thing, you can see everything in about 20-30 minutes.
When to Go
There's technically no best time to visit Pilgrimage Church of Wies as it remains open all year round.
Still, summer brings crowds to this area, and Wieskirche is no exception. Bavaria is wonderful in spring and autumn, so it might also be a good time to explore Wieskirche.
You can visit the church even in winter (with fewer crowds), but be prepared for the cold and short days.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Wear
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a place of worship, and modest attire is recommended (the rule of thumb is to avoid revealing clothing; this most likely could happen when visiting in summer).
In April, it was freezing cold outside, so we wore our trusty down jackets in combination with our rain jackets that protected us from the elements while walking around the church's grounds.
The interior felt slightly warmer, mainly because the wind was absent, but we still kept all layers on while inside.
How to Get There
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is located in the village of Steingaden (technically, it's about 6 kilometers southeast of it) in the Weilheim-Schongau district of Bavaria.
The easiest way to get to Wieskirche is by car, though public transport is also an option if you don't drive.
Car
Wieskirche is about 70 minutes from Augsburg, 90 minutes from Munich, and 30 minutes from Fussen.
We started our day in Augsburg but headed first to the Neuschwanstein area, so we eventually drove to Wieskirche from Fussen.
We traveled in our car, but you can easily rent a car in Munich.
Public Transport
You can get to Wieskirche by public transport, although it's more time-consuming and not as comfortable as driving.
From Munich, take a train to Weilheim (Oberbay), where you need to get off and catch a bus 9651 to Fussen, which makes a stop at the Wieskirche parking lot, about 200 meters from the church. This journey takes about two hours.
Check Deutsche Bahn website for more information.
Tours
You can also take the Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich, which includes Wieskirche.
Neuschwanstein tours are one of the easiest ways to see some of the highlights this part of the Bavarian Alps has to offer and are perfect for travelers who are pressed for time or don't want to travel on their own.
Where to Stay
Wieskirche is located in the Bavarian countryside, only a short drive from the Bavarian Alps.
Most accommodations around the Steingaden village are small guesthouses, so if you're looking for a regular hotel, you need to drive a bit further down south.
Alternatively, you can stay in Munich (or Augsburg like we did) and visit Wieskirche on a day trip.
So here are our top picks of hotels near Wieskirche to suit every budget.
Budget | Landhotel und Gasthof Kirchberger - This little family-run hotel is only 6kilometersr from Wieskirche. It boasts cozy rooms, Bavarian hospitality, a peaceful location, and free parking. If you want to stay as close to the church as possible, this would be the accommodation of our choice.
Mid-range | Hotel Bannwaldsee - This popular hotel is located in the small village of Halblech, halfway between Steingaden and Fussen, about 17 kilometers from Wieskirche. It has everything you need, plus an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and on-site free parking.
Luxury | Rosewood Munich - If you're seeking true luxury, you must stay in Munich. Rosewood is probably the most luxurious hotel you can find in the Bavarian capital. It offers stunning design, gorgeous rooms, amazing food, incredible wellness facilities, and immaculate service. It's pretty expensive, though.
Hostel | Bavaria City Hostel - The area around Fussen can be expensive, so it's good to know there are some cheap hostels. With clean rooms (dormitories and private rooms) at affordable rates, a central location, and a shared kitchen, Bavaria City Hostel is a great place for budget travelers to stay.
Is the Church of Wies Worth Visiting?
To conclude, there are several reasons why the Pilgrimage Church of Wies is worth seeing. It's one of Germany's most visited pilgrimage sites and is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
That's a big reason why it's worth visiting, not just for Catholic pilgrims but also for average tourists who want to see extraordinary sites.
If you're more into the visual side of things, the interiors are beautifully decorated, while the whole setting of meadows and Alps is pretty eye-catching.
Lastly, Wieskirche is strategically located on the Romantic Road near Neuschwanstein, plus it doesn't take long to see it all.
If you're visiting without a guide, we recommend buying the paper guide at the entrance. Without it, it's just another church, which you can see aplenty in every part of Germany.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
