Maria an der Straße Chuch, Bad Ischl
The Parish Church “Maria an der Straße” was built in the 1950s in the district of Pfandl, which belongs to Bad Ischl. It is the first driver pilgrimage church in Austria.
About this building
A Parish Church of Pfandl is already mentioned in a document from 1312. However, nothing remains of this primitive building. A wooden chapel stood in its place between 1845 and 1857. In 1865, this one was replaced by a brick chapel, which would be expanded between 1908 and 1923. However, after the Second World War, the population of Pfandl grew and the church became too small to accommodate all believers. Construction of the new church, the one standing today, began in 1957. In 1965, Maria an der Straße became an independent parish church.
This is the oldest Austrian church blessing drivers. The first blessing took place in 1958, coinciding with the consecration of the church by the Bishop of Linz, Franz Zauner. Around 600 vehicles received their blessing during the ceremony. Outside the church there is a modern memorial stone in remembrance of victims of the road.
