Chapel Maria Dank

Chapel Maria Dank

The Chapel Maria Dank is located in the district Riezlern-Schwende.

In gratitude that the Kleinwalsertal was spared from severe war hardship, this mountain chapel was built in 1950. It was also the intention to create a place of prayer in honor of the Mother of God, in remembrance of the apparitions in Fatima in 1917 and the promise expressed there, “My Immaculate Heart will triumph.” The chapel harmoniously fits into the landscape and has become a frequently visited pilgrimage site.

The interior displays a wealth of imagery, with frescoes created by the famous Vorarlberg artist Hubert Berchtold. He is also responsible for the stained glass windows. On the nave ceiling, Berchtold painted the Fatima message, and on the choir's back wall, he depicted the mentioned Marian apparition, along with the three shepherd children. The sculptor Herbert Albrecht created the half-relief of the Mother of God. This artwork was carried by some Walser lads from Au in the Bregenzerwald over the Starzeljoch (1868m) to Riezlern. Fidelis Bentele carved the Stations of the Cross. The design and construction plan were by architect Willi Huber from Oberstdorf. Local craftsmen took care of the construction work.