Mariazell Basilica is a Roman Catholic church building in Mariazell, Austria. It is the most important Christian pilgrimage destination in Austria and one of the most visited shrines in Europe. In the church, a miraculous wooden image of the Virgin Mary is venerated.

Mariazell Basilica is also known as Basilica Mariä Geburt (Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary).

Significance of the Throned Maria with Child
The image of Virgin Mary throned with the Child (often called Maria Regina or Our Lady Enthroned) represents the Virgin as Queen of Heaven, seated on a throne with the infant Jesus on her lap or beside her. This type of image signifies her elevated status in Christianity, highlighting both her role as the Mother of God and as a central figure of divine authority. It reflects the belief that Mary, as the Queen, intercedes on behalf of humanity, and it emphasizes her nurturing, motherly relationship with Christ, who is often depicted as a King in this setting.

First Appearance
The concept of the throned Virgin with the Child can be traced back to the early Christian period, but one of the earliest examples of this iconography is found in Byzantine art around the 6th century. A significant example is the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), where early mosaics depicted Mary seated with Christ on her lap.