Stift Altenburg

About the museum

Countess Hildburg of Poigen founded the monastery in 1144 together with her son Hermann; the first monks came from the Styrian monastery of St. Lambrecht. In the Middle Ages a stately complex grew around a large basilica, which repeatedly suffered damage from wars, invasions and plundering.

Its present appearance Altenburg owes primarily to Abbot Placidus Much, who in the 18th century had the complex restructured in Baroque style with architect Josef Munggenast and painter Paul Troger. Monastery church, Kaiser staircase, the almost 50-meter-long library and the crypt beneath it decorated with grotesques are among the most significant Baroque spaces in Austria.

In 1940 the monastery was closed by the Nazis, after 1945 it served as quarters for Soviet occupation. From 1947 it was gradually restored. Since 1994 the remains of the medieval monastery discovered in excavations have been accessible as 'Monastery beneath the Monastery' with cloister, chapter house, monastery kitchen and scriptorium.

In more recent times thematic gardens were added such as the Garden of Religions (2006). The monastery also received as donations the Baroque painting collection Arnold and the Sainitzer Collection with Baroque devotional images.

Highlights

• Ceiling frescoes by Paul Troger in the monastery church
• Monastery library with three domes
• Crypt with grotesque painting
• 'Monastery beneath the Monastery' with medieval cloister
• Monastery gardens with Garden of Religions
• Baroque paintings from the Arnold Collection

Permanent exhibitions

• Kloster unter dem Kloster – Uncovered remains of the medieval monastery complex with cloister, chapter house, monastery kitchen and scriptorium, connected via contemporary architecture.
• Sammlung Arnold – Over 200 paintings of Austrian and South German Baroque painting, including works by Paul Troger and Kremser Schmidt, in the gallery rooms of the Kaiser tract; in 2026 open only on selected weekends.
• Ein Hauch von Farb’ und Spitze – Sammlung Sainitzer – Selection of Baroque devotional, cut and lace prints, arranged by themes such as pilgrimage, saints and biblical stories.

Founded

1144

Operated by

Benediktinerstift Altenburg

Admission & discounts

Admission ticket valid all day (monastery, Sainitzer Collection, gardens). Free admission with Lower Austria CARD (not for groups). 10% discount for Ö1 Club and Ö1 intro members.

Accessibility

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

Monastery and gardens largely barrier-free, exhibition areas via lifts and ramps; not barrier-free are library (three steps), sala terrena, basement 2 and crypt. Paths with cobblestones, church and main entrance with automatic sliding doors. Accessible toilets in prelate courtyard and museum basement 1; four accessible parking spaces next to entrance. Assistance dogs with proof allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children's riddle rally through monastery; woodland play area with hedge maze. Tours for primary schools with mascot Placi. Parts of Garden of Religions only limitedly passable with stroller.

Getting there & parking

By car from Vienna via A22 and B4/B2 to Horn, then B38 toward Zwettl approx. 6 km. Monastery on monastery bike path and Kamp-Thaya-March route.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Monastery restaurant in Kaiser courtyard (pastries, lunch and dinner); monastery shop with books, regional products and wines and spirits from monastery production. Dogs not allowed in monastery and exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 300 guests.

Seminar room, theater hall, white hall (approx. 80–120 people), orangery in Garden of Religions and fireplace room; monastery library on request for concerts (up to 300 people). Weddings and guest house with 17 rooms.

Plan your visit