Copies of the Black Madonnas of Loreto, Altötting, and Einsiedeln in Salzburg

Copies of the Black Madonnas of Loreto, Altötting, and Einsiedeln

In the Capuchin Loreto convent (Loretokloster der Kapuzinerinnen) Paris-Lodron-Straße 6, 5020 Salzburg.

In the heart of Salzburg, just a few blocks from Mozart’s house, lies the convent named Maria Loreto and dedicated to the Black Madonna of Loreto in 1637. The Capuchin nuns moved here after they had to flee their Bavarian home during the 30 Years War between Protestants and Catholics. They obviously had great devotion to the Black Madonna, since they obtained not one, but three “images of grace“ (Gnadenbilder) and built each its own, beautiful chapel.

Even so, the image of grace most venerated here by the people is the little Loreto-child (Loretokindel), a precious doll carved in ivory and covered in jewels. It was made around 1620 and given as a gift by a countess to an aristocratic nun, who in turn gave it to a man with great devotion to the incarnation and the Christ child. By 1650, the precious Jesus doll was installed in the Maria Loreto convent where it too receives its own chapel. Its fame for healing spread far beyond Salzburg. To this day, the faithful come from all around to have one of the nuns bless them with it. They have regular opening hours when this is possible: on Sundays and holidays: 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 – 3:30 p.m., on weekdays: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. and 3 – 4:00 p.m., on Saturdays and days before holidays: 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. and 3 – 3:30 p.m. Those who wish to receive the blessing of the Loreto-child but can’t be physically present during these times are blessed from afar every day at 2:30 p.m.

Salzburg