Stift Lambach

About the museum

Around 1040, Count Arnold II of Lambach-Wels and his wife Reginlind designated their ancestral castle on the Traun as the seat of a collegiate chapter for twelve secular priests. Their son Adalbero, bishop of Würzburg, converted the foundation in 1056 into a Benedictine abbey and brought monks from Münsterschwarzach. Lambach became a center of monastic reform, settled Melk in 1089 and maintained a school and important scriptorium from the 12th century. Adalbero consecrated the first Romanesque church in 1089 and was buried there.

In the 17th and 18th centuries three Baroque abbots gave the complex its present appearance: the Gothic church was remodeled in early Baroque, library hall, chapels, refectory and ambulatory were built, as were pilgrimage churches in the area such as the Trinity Church in Stadl-Paura. The monastery was a center of music and theater cultivation; Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited several times, and the "Lambach Symphony" is dedicated to the then-abbot. For Marie Antoinette's wedding trip, the monastery theater was repainted in 1770, and today as the only preserved Baroque monastery theater in Austria it is performed in again.

Before 1089, frescoes were discovered under plaster of the old west choir, exposed after 1967 and made accessible; they rank among the most significant Romanesque wall paintings north of the Alps. For the 950th anniversary in 2006 a permanent exhibition on monastery history was created, which since 2023 also dedicates its own room to the house's famous guests. Library, theater and summer refectory are only accessible with tours.

Highlights

• Romanesque frescoes from 11th century with "Lambach Christ"
• Baroque monastery theater of 1770
• Large and small library halls
• Baroque summer refectory
• Monastery church with grave of St. Adalbero
• Traces of Mozarts and the "Lambach Symphony"

Permanent exhibition

• Museum zur Klostergeschichte mit romanischen Fresken – Tour through almost a thousand years of monastery life with art, architecture, literature and music, leading to 11th-century frescoes; one room dedicated to famous guests of the monastery.

Founded

1056

Operated by

Benediktinerstift Lambach

Admission & discounts

Museum admission (8 €, children/young people 4 €) for permanent exhibition without guide; state rooms such as library, Baroque theater and summer refectory only with monastery tour.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 Romanesque frescoes is barrier-free, but parts of museum accessible only by stairs. Monastery tour can be arranged largely barrier-free upon advance notice; wheelchair available if needed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family tour where children explore monastery age-appropriately, then picnic in convent garden with own provisions possible (children up to 14 years free). In monastery church children can search for hidden church mouse.

Getting there & parking

Monastery in village center at junction of B144 to Gmunden. From Linz/Passau direction via Wels-West exit and B1, from Salzburg direction via Laakirchen West exit and B144.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Stiftskeller in monastery courtyard with beer garden (Tue–Sat 9–midnight, Sun and holiday 9–3 p.m., Mon closed). Monastery shop with Lambach honey and monastery products (Mon–Fri 9–12 and 1–4 p.m.).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Baroque summer refectory, ambulatory and meditation room for conferences, seminars, courses and celebrations; basic equipment with projector and WLAN, buffets and catering by Stiftskeller.

Plan your visit