Benediktinerstift Altenburg

Experience a monastic journey through time! From the Middle Ages to the Baroque at Altenburg Abbey

From May 1 to October 26, the Benedictine Altenburg Abbey opens its baroque rooms and varied abbey gardens to visitors.

DO - SO & public holidays: 10 am to 5 pm

Baroque lovers and relaxed explorers can discover the world of the Baroque and the magnificent frescoes by the famous Baroque painter Paul Troger in the magnificent collegiate church, the 50-metre-long collegiate library and the grotesque crypt. The architecturally award-winning "monastery under the monastery", which provides an insight into the former medieval monastery complex, and the diverse flowering show gardens also entice visitors.In recognition of its consistent museum work at the highest level, Altenburg Abbey has been awarded the "Austrian Museum Seal of Quality" since 2020.

During the season, special guided tours take place every month on topics such as "Baroque & Devotion", the life of the monks in the Middle Ages - an exclusive night tour and themed hikes in the nearby abbey forest with a certified hiking guide and forest educator. Hiking guide and forest educator.

In the Arnold Collection, paintings from Austrian and southern German Baroque painting are on display in three rooms, including works by Paul Troger, Michael Rottmayr, Franz Spiegler and Martin Johann Schmidt.

The exhibits in the Sainitzer Collection transport visitors to the almost forgotten world of Baroque devotional paintings and fascinate them with their fine craftsmanship.
Both collections are exclusively open to the public once a month, and the curator gives guided tours of the collections on selected dates.

Altenburg Abbey Gardens

The gardens in and around Altenburg Abbey tell fascinating stories and deal with various theological themes. The Creation Garden was created on the site of the former "Brunngartl" and was the first to implement a theological theme. A bench under the large walnut tree invites visitors to pause for a moment, and on hot summer days this place is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire monastery. The Garden of Religions shows the relationships between the five major world religions. The park is complemented by a natural pond with aKneipppath, a near-natural flower meadow and a tree circle. The Garden of Silence includes a meadow orchard, butterfly meadow, a beneficial insect hotel and an elder garden. The sculpture trail leads down into the forest, while a short hike takes you to the viewing platform on the opposite slope. In the cloister garden , medieval symbolic plants can be found around the old well. The site of the modern apothecary garden was most likely already home to a medicinal plant garden in the Middle Ages.

Come and experience Altenburg Abbey - a place full of history, culture and nature!

Guided tours of the abbey: Saturday, Sunday & public holidays at 11 am and 2 pm | No registration required!
Meeting point in the foyer, costs for the guided tour are included in the day ticket

For groups of 20 people or more, guided tours of the Abbey are also available outside opening hours by prior arrangement. Group tours are available on request (at kultur.tourismus@stift-altenburg.at).

Admission and prices

Admission entitles you to visit the Abbey, Arnold Collection, gardens and special exhibition, the ticket is valid for the whole day.
Adults € 12
Children and young people up to 18 years free
Reduced € 10,-
Families € 21

Group prices:

For groups of 20 people or more, personal guided tours are possible at any time by prior arrangement!
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Cost: Adults € 11.00/person; pupils and students € 4.50/person

Small groups up to 19 people

Cost: €10.00/person plus one-off small group fee of €70.00