The Wieskirche, or Meadow Church, is a Rococo confection in southern Germany, southwest of Munich. Sure enough, it does stand in a meadow pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Its full name, the Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Savior on the Meadow, gives you a hint as to why all this is here. Story has it that in 1738, there was a discarded and dilapidated wooden statue of the Scourged Savior that nearby monks just left in this field. People saw the statue with tears, crying — and that was enough to declare a miracle, build a simple church to house the miraculous statue, and get those pilgrims coming. So many pilgrims came that in 1745 work started on the present structure.
Designed by the Zimmerman brothers and fully completed in 1754, it shows what the Rococo is all about — making the supernatural visible. And it really does seem like you’ve gone through some kind of portal when you enter. The high altar, holding that same wooden statue, is just an explosion of materials, forms, and figures.
And although the big show is at the main altar, the rest of the church doesn’t disappoint. Walls and the ceiling vie for attention.
Even the small details are a bit overwhelming.
It really is a sight to behold. It’s worth a drive if you’re in Bavaria.
