Wallfahrtskirche Basilika Birnau
Wallfahrtskirche Basilika Birnau
Wallfahrtskirche Basilika Birnau
4.5
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
234 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
56
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
1
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hhyalav
Berlin, Germany18 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
It is a beautiful hall church, divided into three parts and tapers towards the apse. The decoration of the sacred room is characterized by exuberant rococo splendor.
The cycle of paintings by Gottfried Bernhardt Göz, Mariologically determined and aligned with the image of Mary at the main altar, three ceiling frescoes, ten watches and a great organ are the specialities of this church built by architect Peter Thumb between 1742-1750.
The cycle of paintings by Gottfried Bernhardt Göz, Mariologically determined and aligned with the image of Mary at the main altar, three ceiling frescoes, ten watches and a great organ are the specialities of this church built by architect Peter Thumb between 1742-1750.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mirisams
Bavaria, Germany69 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Very impressive building, it is absolutely worth a visit! You can donate if you want, but there is no fee.
Written September 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric Hans B
United States89 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
I’ve seen many churches in Germany and I can recommend this stop. Also a great overlook on Bodensee.
Written December 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter R
Rotterdam, The Netherlands224 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The church is beautiful. Ridiculous Rococo. The paintings are clearly not by a grand master, but the whole thing is simply beautiful.
Parking costs 0.50 and if you dare to come with your camper you can pay 2.50 per hour. Why this difference is completely unclear to me. The staff is unfriendly. Upon entering the church, donations are ostentatiously asked for. But I have to say that if I can pay 2.50 per hour because I come with a camper, I don't really feel like it. Taking photos is also not allowed.
Parking costs 0.50 and if you dare to come with your camper you can pay 2.50 per hour. Why this difference is completely unclear to me. The staff is unfriendly. Upon entering the church, donations are ostentatiously asked for. But I have to say that if I can pay 2.50 per hour because I come with a camper, I don't really feel like it. Taking photos is also not allowed.
Written April 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosie s
Sowerby, UK96 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Wow this church made me cry it is so stunning. It is a beautiful church in an amazing setting. I visited as a child andi have now brought my family to see TV is amazing church. Would recommend that you visit. If you are in the area.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,818 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Southern Gerrmany, especially Bavaria and Swabia (with the 'Oberschwäbische Barockstrasse'), is well known for its Late Baroque and Rococo churches. One of the most beautiful examples is the Pigrimage Church of Birnau, high above the 'Überlinger See', the northwestern finger of Lake Constance. Already the location is superb, standing all by itself in the middle of vineyards with sweeping views.
Unlike the usual pattern of churches with their west-east orientation, here the entrance is in the south, facing the lake, with the altar thus in the north. The exterior is kept in white and antique pink. At the front is an administrative building of the priory with a high tower in the middle, while the church proper is attached to it at the back.
The pigrimage church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in the mid 18th century, once belonged to the not far away imperial abbey of Salem, which ceased to be a monastery with the general secularization after the Napoleonic Wars (it is now an elite boarding school).
Being a church no entrance fee is requested, when visiting. In the administrative building in front is now also a souvenir shop. If one has not booked a guided tour by local staff, it makes sense to buy a booklet (with good photos) about the church - available in German, French and English for EUR 3.50. Inside - besides decorated 'Blessed Candles (Geweihte Kerzen) for EUR 3 to be taken home and also 'russarme Opferkerzen' (EUR 1) to be used in the church, a small leaflet in German (Eur 0.20) is for sale, which is quite useless though. Photography is not allowed inside.
When entering the wide 'Saalkirche' with no pillars, columns or naves I was overwhelmed by the harmony and beauty of the place. The colours are quite subdued with brown dominating, unlike the sometimes aggressive and rich in contrast colouring of earlier baroque churches. That this church is predominantly Rococo in style can be discerned by the several signature ornaments of ths style on the walls: the asymmetric Rocaille.
The part close to the altar is off limits to visitors, and open only to 'Stille Beter' (for quiet praying). The kind of bulls eye window panes have no colours. There are a few side chapels and the ceiling is of a rather flat barrel vault. Above the entrance is an organ and there is a narrow gallery all around the church. Near the high altar are some life size sculptures of saints, and to the left and to the right of it are a 'Moon Clock' and a 'Solar Clock'.
The most famous single element of this Basilica is the 'Honigschlecker' (honey licker), a charming little 'putto', holding a hive and putting a finger in his mouth. It can be found on the right hand side by the altar of St.Bernhard. And if one looks up at the three ceiling frescoes one can see at the edge of the middle one a self portrait of the painter, holding two brushes and with an obvious leg injury.
Unlike the usual pattern of churches with their west-east orientation, here the entrance is in the south, facing the lake, with the altar thus in the north. The exterior is kept in white and antique pink. At the front is an administrative building of the priory with a high tower in the middle, while the church proper is attached to it at the back.
The pigrimage church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in the mid 18th century, once belonged to the not far away imperial abbey of Salem, which ceased to be a monastery with the general secularization after the Napoleonic Wars (it is now an elite boarding school).
Being a church no entrance fee is requested, when visiting. In the administrative building in front is now also a souvenir shop. If one has not booked a guided tour by local staff, it makes sense to buy a booklet (with good photos) about the church - available in German, French and English for EUR 3.50. Inside - besides decorated 'Blessed Candles (Geweihte Kerzen) for EUR 3 to be taken home and also 'russarme Opferkerzen' (EUR 1) to be used in the church, a small leaflet in German (Eur 0.20) is for sale, which is quite useless though. Photography is not allowed inside.
When entering the wide 'Saalkirche' with no pillars, columns or naves I was overwhelmed by the harmony and beauty of the place. The colours are quite subdued with brown dominating, unlike the sometimes aggressive and rich in contrast colouring of earlier baroque churches. That this church is predominantly Rococo in style can be discerned by the several signature ornaments of ths style on the walls: the asymmetric Rocaille.
The part close to the altar is off limits to visitors, and open only to 'Stille Beter' (for quiet praying). The kind of bulls eye window panes have no colours. There are a few side chapels and the ceiling is of a rather flat barrel vault. Above the entrance is an organ and there is a narrow gallery all around the church. Near the high altar are some life size sculptures of saints, and to the left and to the right of it are a 'Moon Clock' and a 'Solar Clock'.
The most famous single element of this Basilica is the 'Honigschlecker' (honey licker), a charming little 'putto', holding a hive and putting a finger in his mouth. It can be found on the right hand side by the altar of St.Bernhard. And if one looks up at the three ceiling frescoes one can see at the edge of the middle one a self portrait of the painter, holding two brushes and with an obvious leg injury.
Written April 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maddie1064
Myrtle Beach, SC337 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
Beautiful and amazing architectural building overlooking Lake Konstanz with lots of statues and artwork throughout. Highly recommended and a great gift shop for unique gifts or trinkets.
Written July 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigtyke
Greeley, CO8,038 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
This is the same as the one rated as Wallfahrtskirche Basilika Birnau. Great location overlooking the Bodensee. Not much from the outside but very elaborate inside. you are not supposed to take pictures inside and that is the reason for my less than excellent rating.
We took the bus #7395 which goes from Fredrichshafen along the north coast of the lake.
We took the bus #7395 which goes from Fredrichshafen along the north coast of the lake.
Written October 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion M
Nyon District, Switzerland583 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
The building is impressive right on the riverfront in nice surroundings of countryside. Extremely impressive front and even more flamboyant intérieur. The whole is covered with baroque style plasterwork.
Written April 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth S
Sydney, Australia252 contributions
Aug 2019
Omg this is a must see place It just blew me away Do beautiful A kloster like none other The view inside and outside is incredible Great for walking along the lake as well
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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