bavarikon4UDescription
The reform programme by the Würzburg Prince-Bishop Julius Echter (1573-1617) also included the revival of the pilgrimage system as a typically Catholic form of piety. The Dettelbach pilgrimage to 'Maria im Weingarten' or also 'Maria im Sand' was created at the beginning of the 15th century at a wayside shrine with a miraculous picture of the Virgin Mary. Smaller chapel buildings were built over the next 100 years. The pilgrimage had experienced a decline during the Reformation though. The church building was extended at the behest of Echter from 1610 to 1613. The cruciform arrangement with the long choir was magnificently decorated. As is typical for many buildings instigated by Echter, the church has architectural forms from the Renaissance and late Gothic period. The pilgrim was welcomed by a portal with three levels, which leads through the princes of apostles Peter and Paul and the adoration of the kings, to Mary as the Mother of God and the Franconian patron saint. It was created by the Protestant sculptor Michael Kern (1580-1649) and the Prince-Bishop's coat of arms refers to the builder and promoter of the pilgrimage Julius Echter above the entrance door. A building inscription by Echter to the right of the portal proves the link to recatholization. In addition to the construction work, the revival was accompanied by the dissemination of the Dettelbach miracle stories by the Würzburg Auxiliary Bishop Eucharius Sang (1597-1620) in German and Latin. Julius Echter called on Franciscans for support in 1616. The convent building next to the pilgrimage church also dates back to the Prince-Bishop's building programme.