Maria Rast forest chapel

Vorderweißenbach, Oberösterreich, Österreich

pets allowed
All weather
Suitable for groups
Suitable for kids (all ages)
place with a special, natural energy

Names - especially older ones - always have a story.
The Christian story of the Maria Rast forest chapel is this:
According to pious legend, the Holy Family - that is, Joseph, Mary and Jesus - had been resting on a stone on the flight to Egypt after a strenuous journey. The stone had softened out of pity for the family, which resulted in three imprints in the hard rock - and have been preserved to this day.

Although the geographic location rightly makes history doubt, the fascination and charisma of this place remains undisputed. - Even the Celts in pre-Christian times knew about this peculiarity, which Celtic stone circles prove.

Dates of the Maria Rast forest chapel:
It lies at a forest height of 733m.
The chapel has a total length of 30 m with a width of 8.60 m.
The tower reaches a height of 22 m. Around 1888 the master carpenter Franz Traxler from Helfeberg probably composed new parts of the high altar of the parish church. Four baroque statues (St. Johannes Nepomuk, St. Franz Xaver, St. Rochus, St. Sebastian) frame the picture of grace, a Pieta painted on sheet metal, from the year 1700. The top is the monogram of Mary, flanked by two smaller ones Statues of st. Florian and St. Joseph.

Opening hours

Open Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The key is available on weekdays at the Schönegg-Afiesl municipal office (Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

The rosary service takes place on Sundays and public holidays at 2 p.m. from May to October.