2013 - Altötting

The Altötting townFor over 1,250 years, Altötting has been Bavaria’s spiritual centre and, for over 500 years, it has been Germany’s leading Marian pilgrimage site. It is a dynamic pilgrimage town with international contacts. Pope Benedict XVI described it as the “Heart of Bavaria and one of the Hearts of Europe”. Pilgrims from all over the world come to see the “Black Madonna” in the famous Chapel of Grace at the Kapellplatz. Altötting is twinned with Loreto in Italy, Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal. It has developed many exchanges, in particular between young people and schools. It has also hosted major events in co-operation with other European pilgrimage towns in the “Shrines of Europe” association.

An annual international youth forum is held in August.

More information