Pilgrimage to Maria Trens in Freienfeld near Sterzing

Once, a farmer discovered a completely intact statue of Mary under the debris of a landslide. Carefully, he brought the image home, where he and his family devoutly venerated it. However, the next morning, the religious farmer couldn't believe his eyes: the statue had disappeared. Could daring thieves have been at work here? After an extended and desperate search, he finally found the figure in the village chapel next to the church. The miraculous event spread like wildfire, and soon, numerous believers gathered to the "Trenser Mutter" to seek comfort and assistance.

The origin of the pilgrimage to Maria Trens in South Tyrol is not scientifically documented. What is certain is that in 1345 in Avignon, an indulgence was granted for the construction of a Marian church, which, already 100 years later, enjoyed great popularity as a pilgrimage destination. In the 15th century, the church was expanded in late gothic style, and 300 years later, as part of a baroque transformation, it was frescoed by the austrian painter Adam Mölck, depicting scenes from the life of the church's patron, Mary.
The current miraculous image of the virgin Mary was created around 1470 by an unknown woodcarver from the circle of the famous master Hans Multscher. Since the early 18th century, it has been venerated in a specially built side chapel – the Chapel of Grace. The virgin Mary figure, carved from pine wood, adorned with a diadem and a flower-decorated mantle, holds the baby Jesus in her arms; playfully, he reaches for the white veil of the mother with his left hand, while the right hand is extended towards the pilgrims.

The number of people who have visited the pilgrimage site Maria Trens near Sterzing over the centuries, seeking relief for their concerns and fears, can only be guessed. Emotional and physical distress, illness, and death – the numerous votive tablets in the church, an artistic testimony to deep popular devotion, offer only a small insight into the concerns that people have brought to the Mother of God, Mary.
In the religious life of our holiday destinations, the pilgrimage to Maria Trens still plays a significant role today, especially during numerous processions and supplications, where hundreds of believers from near and far come together, walking to the church, praying and singing. In earlier years, some pilgrims were said to have ascended the final ramp to the church on their knees to give special emphasis to their pleas. Today, the newly created pilgrimage path (year 2000) leads to the church.

All of this makes Maria Trens near Sterzing a truly special power spot, a genuine spiritual source even for non-pilgrims.

• May 1st – Gerichtskreuzgang: the most significant supplication procession in the church year, hundreds of believers from surrounding valleys gather in Sterzing and pilgrimage together to Maria Trens.
• Corpus Christi: solemn procession with the village associations and many locals in traditional costumes.
  June - Sacred Heart Sunday: festive procession, and in the evening, impressive Sacred Heart fires are lit on the Trenser mountain "Höllekragen" following an ancient tradition.
• August 15th – Assumption of Mary: solemn procession and herb market.
• October 1st – Women's Night Pilgrimage: on the pilgrimage path, numerous women come with burning candles to the church for the solemn mass.
• First weekend in October – Saturday evening Candlelight Procession and Sunday Rosary Procession.

Have we sparked your interest in this spiritual power spot in South Tyrol? Are you interested in more details about the pilgrimage near Sterzing?
For additional information visit: www.mariatrens.com