Stift Stams

About the museum

Count Meinhard II of Gorizia-Tyrol founded the Cistercian monastery of Stams in 1273 together with his wife Elisabeth as the burial place of his house; the first monks came from the Swabian abbey of Kaisheim. According to tradition, the monastery was also meant to commemorate Elisabeth's son Conradin, the last of the Staufer. In the 14th century the monks temporarily kept the imperial regalia.

Plundering during the Peasants' Wars and the Schmalkaldic War as well as a major fire in 1593 hit the abbey hard. Between about 1650 and 1750 the complex acquired its present Baroque appearance, with the two onion domes and the magnificently furnished abbey church. In 1807 the Bavarian authorities dissolved the monastery, in 1816 it was re-established; in 1939 the National Socialists dissolved it again. After 1945, monks from the Slovenian monastery of Stična contributed significantly to its fresh start. In 1984 the abbey church was elevated to a basilica minor.

Following a long-running general renovation, the abbey opened the museum Stift Stams – Die Sammlungen in November 2017. Thematic rooms show the daily life of the monks, musical instruments, the furnishings of the abbey pharmacy from the late 18th century, scientific treasures such as a Mercator globe and an astronomical table from around 1425, sacred sculptures, a portrait gallery, Gothic altar panels as well as vestments and goldsmith work. In 2025 the museum received the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality.

Highlights

• Baroque basilica with Tree of Life high altar and princes' crypt
• Bernardisaal festival hall
• Astronomical table from around 1425 and Mercator globe
• Furnishings of the historical abbey pharmacy
• Votive altar of 1426 and Gothic altar panels
• Portrait gallery with works by Thomas Riss and Albin Egger-Lienz, among others

Permanent exhibition

• Museum Stift Stams – Die Sammlungen – Cross-section of the abbey's collections in thematic rooms on monastic daily life, music, pharmacy, science, sculpture, portraits, altars and liturgy.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Zisterzienserstift Stams

Admission & discounts

Prices for the museum visit (June to September); in the other months only with an abbey tour. Tickets in the monastery shop in the Orangerie. 50% discount with the region's Welcome Card.

Accessibility

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

The grounds are partly accessible: the basilica, Orangerie and the Prälatenkeller restaurant are accessible without steps, and accessible toilets and parking spaces are available. Guests with reduced mobility are asked to register for tours in advance by phone or email.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Monastery shop in the Orangerie with books, souvenirs and products of the abbey (jam, honey, spirits; stone-oven bread on Fridays); catering is also available in the Orangerie. Restaurant Prälatenkeller at the abbey, restaurant Schwarzfischer a few minutes' walk away.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit