Mariahilferkirche

Construction of Mariahilferkirche, a pilgrimage church at Mariahilferplatz 3 in the Lend district of Graz, began in 1607 to designs by Giovanni Pietro de Pomis. He also painted the image of the Virgin Mary on the high altar, which was already drawing pilgrims in the 17th century.

The Baroque architect Josef Hueber added the twin towers during a mid-18th-century renovation. Above the ornate entrance, the Archangel Michael is shown casting down the devil. 

Inside the relatively plain church, the Chapel of St Bonaventure stands out for its elaborate stucco and Baroque marble altar. Mariahilferkirche became a parish church in 1783 and is still served by the Minorite friars.

The early Baroque Minorite Monastery adjoins Mariahilferkirche on its south side. A narrow passage beside the church leads into a courtyard framed by a cloister with Tuscan columns. Minorite friars still live in the monastery.