The Wieskirche, officially the Pilgrimage Church of the Scourged Saviour on the Meadow, is one of the most dazzling Rococo masterpieces in Europe. This small pilgrimage church in the Bavarian municipality of Steingaden draws over a million visitors a year and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

Inside, the church stuns with its lightness and radiant color - white and gold stucco, soft pink walls, and a monumental ceiling fresco make the space feel almost weightless. Surrounded by open meadows with views toward the foothills of the Alps, it's a wonderful stop for anyone exploring the countryside around Steingaden. In spring and summer, the green fields set off the pink-and-white façade beautifully, while in winter the snow-covered meadows create a striking contrast with the colorful architecture.

How to get there

• Steingaden — access via local road, about 5 minutes by car, easy
• Walking path from nearby car parks through the meadows - about 15-20 minutes, easy

Practical information

• Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983
• Visited by more than one million tourists annually
• Regularly hosts sacred music concerts
• Main pilgrimage feast days: 1 May, 14 June, first Sunday of September, and second Sunday of October

Legend has it that in 1738 a local farmer's wife noticed tears in the eyes of the statue of the Scourged Saviour - an event that sparked pilgrimages and led to the construction of this extraordinary church.