Description
The largest medieval monastery in Austria was founded in 1202 by the Babenberg Duke Leopold VI the Glorious. The seal on the document confirming the foundation of Lilienfeld Abbey by Duke Frederick II the Contending shows the shield, Austria's coat of arms, for the first time. Lilienfeld is thus the birthplace of our national colors red-white-red.
The library, created around 1730, contains 39,000 new prints, 119 cradle prints and 226 manuscripts. The large organ with 3288 sounding pipes is a first-class instrument for internationally important musical events. In 1219, the founder donated the great relic of the cross to the monastery. The Calvary was built in 1677 and the cloister forms the center of monastic life. The splashing of the water can be heard through the corridors from the fountain house.
Lilienfeld Abbey Park was laid out under Abbot Ambros Becziczka and comprises an idyllic park landscape with exotic trees, winding paths, streams and small ponds - very much in the spirit of the early 19th century. At the highest point of the park is the so-called "Chinese", a pagoda-like lookout point that serves as the south-western corner of the stone wall and gives the park a special touch.
Tip: Combine your visit to Lilienfeld Abbey with a trip to the Muckenkogel or the Zdarsky Ski Museum.
