the foundation of the Shrine of Mariazell. Politics Municipal council The municipal council has 15 members; the 2010 elections returned: 8 ÖVP 4 Gemeinsam für Mariazell 3 SPÖ City council The city council consists of the following members: Josef Kuss (ÖVP) – Mayor Helmut Schweiger (ÖVP) - Vice-Mayor Walter Surböck (Gemeinsam für Mariazell) - Financial Officer Coat of Arms The city coat of arms shows a black shield with a stylized depiction of the Gothic archway of the Mariazell Basilica in gold. Before it stands the gold-crowned Mariazeller Madonna with a similarly crowned Christ Child on her right arm. The Madonna wears a blue cloak and is wrapped in a silver-white robe, as is the Christ Child. The chests of both figures are adorned with a small cross. Culture and landmarks Most notable about the Mariazell Basilica, built in the 14th and 15th centuries but with a superb baroque interior, are the three towers on its western front. The church houses the Magna Mater Austriae ("Great Mother of Austria") in its so-called Gnadenkapelle (“Grace Chapel”). The holy image is a small wooden Marian statue from the 13th century, which is clothed in a splendid garment and plays a great role in the popular devotions of many Austrian Catholics. Transport Mariazell lies on the highway B 20, which goes from St. Pölten over the Seebergsattel to Kapfenberg im Mürz Valley. There is a connection through the Salza Valley to the east either over the Gscheid to St. Aegyd am Neuwalde, into the Piesting Valley und then further into the Viennese Basin (B 21) or over the Lahnsattel into the Mürz Valley and onward to Mürzzuschlag (B 23). Mariazell is also the southern endpoint of the Mariazell railway line, a narrow gauge electric railway from St Pölten. However the terminus of the line at Mariazell station lies around north of the city center in the municipal territory of Sankt Sebastian. The station is also the terminus of the Museumstramway Mariazell-Erlaufsee, a standard gauge heritage steam tramway that operates to the nearby Erlaufsee. Mariazell Airport is a private use airport that is located north-northwest of Mariazell. International relations Twin towns - Sister cities Mariazell is twinned with: Esztergom in Hungary (since May 6, 2002) Loreto in Italy References Notes External links Eurovia - Association for the Establishment of European Pilgrimage Routes Central European Catholic Day (Mitteleuropäischer Katholikentag) Bazillika Mariazell Mariazell und das Mariazeller