MARIAZELL

town, Steiermark Bundesland (federal state), east-central Austria, in the Salza River valley amid the north Styrian Alps north of Kapfenberg. Founded in 1157 by the monks of St. Lambrecht's Abbey, it is the most famous pilgrimage place in Austria. In the Gnaden Church (rebuilt 164483) is a 12th-century limewood statue of the Virgin Mary (24 inches high), regarded as miraculous by many thousands of pilgrims who visit the shrine annually. Mariazell is also a summer resort and winter-sports centre. Pop. (1981) 1,927.