Stift Herzogenburg

About the museum

In 1112 Bishop Ulrich of Passau founded a monastery for Augustinian canons at the confluence of the Traisen and the Danube. Because the site was constantly threatened by flooding, the community moved to Herzogenburg in 1244. In the late Middle Ages the monastery suffered from Hussite raids, military campaigns and a major fire; the Old Abbey with its painted refectory dates from the reconstruction of that period.

From 1714 the present Baroque complex was built to plans by Jakob Prandtauer; the banquet hall on the east side was designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Joseph and Franz Munggenast continued the work, and construction ended with the consecration of the church in 1785; the planned west wing was never built. Under Joseph II the monastery survived and took over the canonries of St. Andrä an der Traisen and Dürnstein together with their parishes.

After difficult decades in which works of art had to be sold, the building was comprehensively renewed from 1979 under Provost Maximilian Fürnsinn. Since the 900th anniversary, the exhibition "Zeitzeuge der Ewigkeit" has shown the restored state rooms and the art collections, including important Gothic panel paintings from the Aggsbach Charterhouse. The monastery can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

Highlights

• Banquet hall designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach
• Gothic panel paintings, including the Aggsbach Altarpiece by Jörg Breu the Elder
• Prelate's staircase, treasury and monastery library
• Baroque monastery church with a 75-metre-high tower
• Restored Baroque garden

Permanent exhibition

• 900 Jahre Stift Herzogenburg – Zeitzeuge der Ewigkeit – A tour through the renovated state rooms with the prelate's staircase, banquet hall, choir chapel, treasury and library. The focus is on the art collections with Gothic panel paintings and on the life of the Augustinian canons.

Founded

1112

Operated by

Augustiner-Chorherrenstift Herzogenburg

Admission & discounts

All prices include admission and guided tour. Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD (individual visitors only, not in groups).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the monastery shop/ticket shop is over cobblestones, but step-free; accessible toilets can be reached via the monastery shop. The exhibition on the 1st floor is reachable by lift, and the tour can be done step-free. The monastery church is nearly step-free via the monastery courtyards or from Kirchenplatz. Reduced admission with a disability card.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1 and S33, exit Herzogenburg Nord, towards the centre and take the last exit at the roundabout. Satnav address: Prandtauerring 2, 3130 Herzogenburg.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Monastery shop in the gatehouse with books, devotional items and wines from the monastery's winery; also coffee, juices and small refreshments.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit