Stift Klosterneuburg

About the museum

On 12 June 1114, the Babenberg Margrave Leopold III had the foundation stone of the abbey church laid, close to his new residence. According to legend, he chose the spot because he had found there the bridal veil of his wife Agnes, which the wind had carried off. In 1133 Leopold brought the Augustinian canons to Klosterneuburg, where they live to this day – interrupted only by the dissolution of the abbey by the National Socialists from 1941 to 1945. Leopold, later canonised and venerated as the patron saint of Austria, is buried in the abbey.

Among the most important works of medieval art is the Verdun Altar, completed in 1181 by the goldsmith Nicholas of Verdun, with 51 enamel panels. Originally created as the cladding of a pulpit parapet, it was converted into a winged altarpiece after a fire in 1330. Since 1616 the treasury has housed the Austrian Archducal Hat, which was brought to Vienna for the ceremonial homage paid to the rulers of the land.

From 1730, Emperor Charles VI wanted to expand Klosterneuburg into a vast monastery and palace complex modelled on the Spanish Escorial. Only a small part was realised, including the imperial apartments; after the emperor's death in 1740 the work stopped. The Marble Hall with the dome fresco by Daniel Gran was not completed until 1860, while the Sala terrena remained a shell and has served as the visitor reception since 2006.

As early as the late 18th century, the abbey established a cabinet of art and curiosities. Today it presents the treasury, the imperial apartments and the Abbey Museum with the Gallery of Modern Art, set up in 2013; in addition there are tours of the baroque wine cellars of one of Austria's largest wine estates.

Highlights

• Verdun Altar by Nicholas of Verdun (1181) in the Leopold Chapel
• Treasury with the Austrian Archducal Hat and the Veil of Agnes
• Imperial apartments and Marble Hall of the unfinished "Austrian Escorial"
• Abbey church with early baroque festive organ and choir stalls
• Baroque cellars of the Stift Klosterneuburg winery
• Abbey Museum with the Babenberg family tree and the Gallery of Modern Art

Permanent exhibitions

• Schatzkammer mit Erzherzogshut – Treasures from nine centuries, from the Austrian Archducal Hat and the Veil of Agnes to reliquary shrines, the Veil Monstrance and an Art Nouveau vestment.
• Stiftsmuseum mit Galerie der Moderne – The abbey's art collections from the Babenberg family tree to sacred art of the 20th and 21st centuries; open only on weekends and public holidays.

Founded

1114

Operated by

Stift Klosterneuburg (Augustiner-Chorherren)

Director

Propst Anton Höslinger Can.Reg.

Admission & discounts

Admission includes the treasury with the Archducal Hat, the Marble Hall, the current exhibition, the Abbey Museum (on weekends and public holidays) and an audio guide in 14 languages; guided tours at an additional charge. Four hours of free parking with the ticket. Combination ticket with train travel available as the ÖBB Erlebnisticket. The NÖ-Card is not valid for exclusive group tours.

Accessibility

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

Step-free access via the paved abbey square; lifts from the garage to the visitor reception and from the Sala terrena to the imperial apartments, stairlifts in the cloister. The gardens and the Abbey Museum on the 2nd floor are not accessible. Loan wheelchair and folding stools at the visitor reception, accessible toilet at the Sala terrena, disabled parking spaces in garage P1. Tactile tours for groups.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children up to 14 years free. "Stiftsfalter" activity sheet with puzzles at the visitor reception, hands-on "Materialitätensekretär" station on the way to the treasury. Family tours for groups, children's birthday parties at the kunsTRAUMstift (ages 5–12) and a summer academy together with museum gugging.

Getting there & parking

About 10 minutes by car from the Vienna city limits via the B14. By bike via the Danube Cycle Path; bike racks, lockers and bike boxes in the bus garage.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café Terrena at the visitor reception, Stiftsrestaurant Leopold at car park P1, AgnesBar in the wine shop on Rathausplatz; abbey shop in the Sala terrena.

Events & venue rental

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

For weddings, receptions, concerts, seminars and corporate events: Sala terrena, Augustinussaal, Binderstadl and seminar rooms in Quartier 1114.

Plan your visit