It is said that, in 1738, tears were seen on a dilapidated wooden figure of the
Scourged Saviour. The legend of this miracle resulted in a
pilgrimage rush to see the sculpture. There is a popular belief that the Bavarian government planned to sell or demolish the rococo masterpiece during the
secularization of Bavaria at the beginning of the 19th century, and that only protests from the local farmers saved it from destruction. Available sources, however, document that the responsible state commission clearly advocated the continuation of Wies as a pilgrimage site, even in spite of economic objections from the abbot of Steingaden. Many who have prayed in front of the statue of Jesus on the altar have claimed that people have been miraculously cured of their diseases, which has made this church even more of a pilgrimage site. The church underwent extensive restoration between 1985 and 1991. The Wieskirche has an oval plan, with a semi-circular
narthex. Inside, twin columns in front of the walls support the elaborate
cornice, with elaborate stucco decorations (painted by J. B. Zimmerman) and a long, deep
choir. The ceilings are painted in a
trompe-l'œil style, appearing to open up to an iridescent sky. == Gallery ==