Altötting in the context of "Votive deposit"

A votive offering or votive deposit is one or more objects displayed or deposited, without the intention of recovery or use, in a sacred place for religious purposes. Such items are a feature of modern and ancient societies and are generally made to gain favor with supernatural forces.

While some offerings were apparently made in anticipation of the achievement of a particular wish, in Western cultures from which documentary evidence survives it was more typical to wait until the wish had been fulfilled before making the offering, for which the more specific term ex-voto may be used. Other offerings were very likely regarded just as gifts to the deity, not linked to any particular need.

48°13′35″N 12°40′36″E / 48.22626°N 12.67654°E / 48.22626; 12.67654The Shrine of Our Lady of Altötting, also known as the Chapel of Grace (German: Gnadenkapelle), is the national shrine of Bavaria dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is known for the many healings which are said to have taken place there, and is commonly called the Lourdes of Germany.

The octagonal chapel which now houses the image of Our Lady was built around 660 A.D., and is the oldest Marian shrine in Germany. This image of Mary is what is known as a Black Madonna. It was created possibly around 1330 A.D. and carved from lindenwood. The identity of the artist who carved the "Black Madonna" of Altötting is not definitively known. The parish chronicle mentions that the image was sculpted by a "holy hermit" in Altötting.

Neuötting (German pronunciation: [nɔʏˈʔœtɪŋ] , lit. 'New Ötting', in contrast to "Old Ötting"; Bavarian: Neieding) is a town in the district of Altötting, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated on the river Inn, 2 km north of Altötting, about 70 km north of Salzburg, 80 southwest of Passau and almost 100 km east of Munich. It is a stop on the railway line between Munich and Simbach.