Steinhausen Pilgrimage Church

The pilgrimage church of Steinhausen near Bad Schussenried in Upper Swabia is often called the most beautiful village church in the world. Between 1728 and 1733 the architect Dominikus Zimmermann created an oval interior that his brother Johann Baptist decorated with ceiling frescoes, making it a masterpiece of the south German Baroque. Please note that the church is closed during 2026 for interior renovation, with reopening planned for Christmas 2026.

Where it is and how to get there

Steinhausen is a village that belongs to Bad Schussenried in the district of Biberach, in the region of Upper Swabia in southern Baden-Württemberg. Check the bwegt journey planner for current regional train and bus connections; the Deutschlandticket is valid on regional services. The church sits on the Upper Swabian Way of St. James and on the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.

Why it matters

The village church replaced a smaller Marian chapel that drew pilgrims from the 15th century on. Abbot Didacus Ströbele of Schussenried Abbey commissioned the new church in 1726, and it was consecrated on May 5, 1733. Zimmermann combined an oval plan with free-standing pillars, a pioneering idea in German Baroque architecture. Since 1865 it has also been a parish church.

What to see (once it reopens)

• The oval nave: Ten square pillars carry a shallow dome and give the room a light, floating quality.
• Ceiling frescoes: Painted by Johann Baptist Zimmermann with his sons.
• Playful details: A stucco grasshopper at one of the windows, and a figure of Hercules carrying the organ gallery, in which Dominikus portrayed his brother Johann Baptist.
• The miraculous image: The Marian statue is still at the center of pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage and festivals

Steinhausen was never among the most famous pilgrimage sites, but it mattered regionally: on special feast days, above all the Friday after Ascension Day, several thousand pilgrims came. The patronal festival falls on Sorrowful Friday, the Friday before Palm Sunday. Unlike many other pilgrimage churches, Steinhausen was never closed for long. King Wilhelm I of Württemberg had it renovated in 1844 and a new organ installed in 1851 and 1852. Major restorations followed from 1940 to 1942 and, especially for the ceiling paintings, from 1967 to 1974. It remains a popular wedding venue and a stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James.

Opening hours and what to do now (as of October 2026)

The church is closed throughout 2026 because of interior renovation. The parish hopes to reopen it around Christmas 2026. Before the closure it was open daily from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For updates, call the parish office at +49 7583 2377 or follow the church's WhatsApp channel. You can still admire the exterior, with its onion-domed tower and curved gables, though the interior is the real reason to come. Time your visit for after the reopening.

Practical tips

Plan 30 to 60 minutes inside once the church reopens. The parish has not published details on accessibility, dogs or parking; ask the parish office before you travel. Worship services and concerts are announced on the parish website.