The dominating center in the municipality of Scharten was and is the pilgrimage church of Maria Scharten.
Unfortunately, it does not appear when the first church or larger chapel was built, but a church in Scharten is first mentioned in a document dated January 1st, 1400.
The construction of today's church was started in 1506 by the Schaunbergers. Due to the religious turmoil of the Reformation period, construction came to a standstill, so that the church was only completed in 1632. This church is about 800 meters from the site of the original church.
Until 1784 the church in Scharten belonged to the parish of Eferding, only then did it become an independent parish. The statue of grace, which was carved around 1510, was integrated into the high altar of the pilgrimage church. The high altar and side altars show images from the life of Mary, including the birth of Jesus, the Holy Family and the crucifixion.
Little is known about the origins of the pilgrimage, but there is an indulgence breve from 1400, so the Schartner pilgrimage should have been well known at that time. The goal of the pilgrimage to Maria Scharten is a crowned statue of Mary (“Our Lady of the Scharten”), which carries the crowned Infant Jesus.
The church is open during the day. For guided tours, please register in the parish office.