Stift Geras

About the museum

Geras Abbey is regarded as having been founded in 1153. Count Ulrich II of Pernegg brought Premonstratensians from the Moravian monastery of Želiv to the borderland; originally a double foundation with a convent of nuns was planned, which ultimately settled in nearby Pernegg. From the beginning the canons served numerous parishes in the surrounding area and were important employers in the region.

As a monastery on the border, Geras was repeatedly occupied, plundered or burned down over the centuries, from the Hussites and Swedes to the troops of the 20th century. After the Thirty Years' War only a few canons were living in the ruins, and they began the reconstruction. In the 18th century the complex was given its Baroque appearance; beneath the stucco marble of the abbey church, however, the pillars of the Romanesque basilica still remain. Since 1953 the church has held the title of Basilica minor.

For visitors, the abbey opens its exhibition area during the season: the Marble Hall with a ceiling fresco by Paul Troger that has never been restored, the Imperial Rooms, the Vedute Hall with large-format views of the monastery from the early 18th century, and a gallery on the Herb Priest Hermann Josef Weidinger and the Blessed Jakob Kern. Guided tours also take in the basilica, cloister, sacristy, library and prelature. Since 2025 the Herb Priest Centre has been based in Geras, with a monastery shop, herbal workshop and medicinal herb garden.

Highlights

• Marble Hall with unrestored ceiling fresco by Paul Troger
• Vedute Hall with views of the monastery from the early 18th century
• Abbey basilica with Romanesque core and miraculous image
• Gallery on Herb Priest Weidinger and the Blessed Jakob Kern
• Monastic medicinal herb garden and herb shop

Permanent exhibitions

• Vedutensaal – Large-format oil paintings show the monastery and its surroundings at the beginning of the 18th century from a bird's-eye view.
• Flurgalerie: Kräuterpfarrer Hermann Josef Weidinger und seliger Jakob Kern – Gallery on two formative figures of the abbey, the well-known Herb Priest and the canon Jakob Kern, whose remains rest in the abbey church.

Founded

1153

Operated by

Prämonstratenserchorherrenstift Geras

Admission & discounts

Free admission once with the Niederösterreich-CARD.

Accessibility

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

Insofar as heritage protection permits, accessible features have been installed: the exhibition rooms can be reached by lift, the abbey basilica via a ramp with a companion. Wheelchair-accessible toilet available; guide dogs for the blind are welcome in all areas. Information at +43 2912 3450.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Monastery and herb shop with herbal workshop and demonstration production (Hauptstraße 2).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit