Wiltener Basilika, Innsbruck

The Wilten Basilica, also known as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Basilica or Our Lady under the Four Pillars, stands proudly in the Wilten district of Innsbruck, serving as both the parish church for Wilten and a popular pilgrimage site. It falls under the care of the Premonstratensians of the Wilten Abbey.

Being the oldest Catholic parish in the region, Wilten holds the status of the mother parish of Innsbruck. Archaeological excavations beneath the current structure revealed remnants of an earlier church dating back to the 5th century, indicating its significance since the early days of Christianity. Legend has it that Roman soldiers from Fort Veldidena worshipped an image of Mary at this site. The Wilten parish came under the administration of the Premonstratensian Order in 1140, and a church dedicated to Our Lady was established in 1259, sparking a fervent pilgrimage tradition.

The present-day basilica was constructed between 1751 and 1756 to replace the deteriorating previous building. It was designed in the Rococo style by architect Joseph Stapf from Pfronten, with master builder Franz de Paula Penz overseeing the project. Pope Pius XII recognized its historical significance and elevated it to the status of a papal minor basilica in 1957.

Inside, the church boasts delicate colors accentuated by gold and intricate Rococo stucco work by Franz Xaver Feuchtmayer and Anton Gigl. Ceiling paintings by Matthäus Günther depict scenes from the life of Mary. The high altar, adorned with four columns and a grand crown, houses the miraculous image—a 14th-century sandstone statue of Our Lady with child, giving the church its name. The baroque facade adds to the grandeur of the spacious square in front of the basilica.

The church is home to an organ crafted by Franz Reinisch II in 1894, installed within the original case from 1758. A restoration in 2003 by the Pirchner company ensured its continued musical excellence, with 24 registers across two manuals and a pedal.