Hochschwab

Otscher Mountain and Nature Park 16km/10mi to the north of Mariazell lies the winter and summer resort of Wienerbruck (795m/2,608ft), from which the Ötscher (1,892m/6,208ft) can be climbed (6.5 hours) by way of the Ötschergräben. The caves on the southeast face are of interest for their ice formations. There is a chairlift up to the Ötscherhaus (1,420m/4,659ft; inn); the lower station is in the village of Lackenhof (810m/2,658ft), on the western side, which can be reached from Mariazell on a mountain road (30km/19mi) running northeastward through beautiful scenery.

Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Standing high above the town of Mariazell, the pilgrimage church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built in Romanesque style about 1200 and converted to a Gothic hall-church in the 14th century. In the 17th century the whole church was remodeled in Baroque style. The central tower, in mainly Gothic form, is flanked by two more Baroque towers with onion domes. Chapels were added to the nave during the Baroque remodeling in the 17th century. The Gothic choir was replaced by a transept and a chancel with a vaulted roof. The great Baroque architects Fischer von Erlach the Elder and the Younger played a major part in this reconstruction and were also responsible for several altars. The impressive high altar (c. 1700) has an over-life size Crucifixion group in silver (c. 1715, designed by Lorenzo Mattielli). In front of the altar tabernacle stands a beautiful Late Gothic Madonna. The nave, side-chapels and galleries are all decorated with stucco work. The basilica contains the grave of the Hungarian Cardinal Mindszenty.