Church · Danube Valley

Engelszell Abbey

Engelszell Abbey lies picturesquely on the Austrian bank of the Danube in Engelhartszell, only a few river kilometres below Passau, and is Austria's only Trappist monastery. Nestled between wooded Danube slopes, it marks one of the most atmospheric stretches of the upper Danube valley and is easily reached from Passau by boat, bicycle or car.

Founded in 1293 as a Cistercian monastery, the complex looks back on a long and chequered history. In the 18th century it was given a magnificent Rococo abbey church, whose bright, festive interior with its light stucco, delicate ceiling frescoes and finely detailed high altar ranks among the most beautiful sacred spaces in the region — a jewel of the Austrian late Baroque that brings every visitor to an unexpected standstill. After the monastery's dissolution and many interim uses, Trappist monks moved in in 1925 and gave the abbey new spiritual life.

Today Engelszell is known far beyond the region for its craft-brewed Trappist beers, made under strict rules within the monastery, as well as for liqueurs, spreads and honey of its own production. An abbey shop invites visitors to taste and take home. Thus the abbey combines artistic delight, tranquillity and culinary specialities — a popular destination on Danube cruises and along the Danube Cycle Path.

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