Basilica of St. Martin and Oswald, Weingarten

Large Baroque basilica housing a Holy Blood relic and associated with the historic horseback pilgrimage known as the Blutritt. The site is located in Weingarten, Baden-Württemberg and has significance beyond its immediate locality because of its documented religious, architectural or cultural history.

A monumental Upper Swabian Baroque former abbey church with major fresco, stucco and organ ensembles. The present church was built from 1715 to 1724 on the site of an earlier Romanesque basilica and received the title basilica minor in 1956. The relic is venerated in Catholic tradition as containing the Precious Blood of Christ.

The annual Blutritt carries the relic in procession on the Friday after Ascension; the religious identification of the relic is presented as devotional tradition. The architectural history and documented procession are separated from the faith-based identification of the relic. Religious life at the site includes Mass, prayer and relic devotion.

Visitors should remember that worship and devotional use take priority over sightseeing wherever services or ceremonies are taking place. Important observances recorded for the site include Blutritt on the Friday after Ascension.