Stift St. Florian

About the museum

St. Florian traces back to an early medieval monastery over the grave of Saint Florian, documented as early as the 8th century. After destruction by Avars and Hungarians, Bishop Altmann of Passau renewed monastic life in 1071 and handed it to the Augustinian canons, who have inhabited the monastery to this day and serve numerous parishes.

After the victory over the Ottomans in 1683 and a thanksgiving pilgrimage by Emperor Leopold I, Provost David Fuhrmann had the monastery completely rebuilt. From 1686, the monastery basilica was built according to plans by Carlo Antonio Carlone with continuously frescoed vaults. Jakob Prandtauer continued construction, created the grand staircase and from 1718 the marble hall for imperial guests; Gotthard Hayberger completed the library tract. By 1751 the baroque overall complex was complete after 66 years of construction.

Closely connected to the monastery is Anton Bruckner, who was a chorister and organist here and is buried in the crypt beneath the great organ. The Bruckner organ built between 1770 and 1774 today has 103 stops. The library comprises approximately 160,000 works. The art collections include the St. Sebastian Altar by Albrecht Altdorfer completed in 1518, approximately 100 Gothic panel paintings, densely hung baroque gallery, late Gothic stained glass and a print collection of approximately 10,000 sheets. The state rooms are only accessible as part of tours.

Highlights

• St. Sebastian Altar by Albrecht Altdorfer (1518)
• Baroque monastery library
• Marble hall and staircase by Jakob Prandtauer
• Bruckner organ with live listening experience
• Crypt with Anton Bruckner's sarcophagus
• Emperor's room (optional)

Permanent exhibitions

• Prunkräume und Stiftsbibliothek – Baroque staircase, marble hall and library halls with part of the approximately 160,000-volume book collection – seen on the classic monastery tour.
• Altdorfer-Galerie und Kunstsammlungen – Gothic panel painting around Albrecht Altdorfer's St. Sebastian Altar and densely hung baroque gallery with works by Austrian and European masters.
• Anton Bruckner im Stift – Crypt with Bruckner's sarcophagus, memorial room and Bruckner Museum, plus the Bruckner organ in the basilica – during special Bruckner tours and listening experiences.

Founded

1071

Operated by

Augustiner-Chorherrenstift St. Florian

Admission & discounts

Admission to monastery basilica free. Prices reviewed annually on 1 March.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Outdoor facilities and monastery basilica barrier-free. A monastery tour with wheelchair or walker is generally possible – please register in advance (+43 7224 8902 10, portier@stift-st-florian.at). Registered assistance dogs permitted; other dogs only in outdoor areas.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Monastery shop at gate with books, monastery wine and gift items; restaurant 'Stiftskeller' in monastery (closed Thursday).

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 550 guests.

Marble hall (up to 550 people), summer dining room (up to 300), Sala Terrena/garden room (up to 250, popular for weddings), dining room (up to 120) and red salon; also five seminar rooms (20–70 people) and a guest house with up to 45 beds.

Plan your visit