Lexi Webster
Founded in 1293, Engelszell Abbey is a Trappist monastery located in Engelhartszell, Upper Austria, on the banks of the Danube. The abbey church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive example of Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high tower. The abbey is known for its liqueurs and beers, becoming the ninth producer of Trappist beer in 2012 and the second outside of Belgium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Engelhartszell, Upper Austria |
| Founding Date | 1293 |
| Type of Monastery | Trappist |
| Number of Monks | 7 (as of 2012) |
| Beer Production | Nivard, Benno, Gregorius, Weisse |
| Church Style | Baroque Rococo |
| Church Height | 76 meters |
| Church Art | Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, Johann Georg Üblhör |
| Garden | Large with an aquarium in the hillside |
| Restaurant | Hotel-Restaurant "Zum Goldenen Schiff" |
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What You'll Learn
- Engelszell Abbey is located in Engelhartszell, Austria, on the banks of the Danube
- It is the only Trappist monastery in Austria
- The Collegiate Church is an example of Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high steeple
- The abbey has a large garden with an aquarium built into the hillside
- It is known for its liqueurs, beers, and cheeses, which are produced by the monks
Engelszell Abbey is located in Engelhartszell, Austria, on the banks of the Danube
Engelszell Abbey is located in Engelhartszell, Upper Austria, on the banks of the Danube. It is the only Trappist monastery in Austria, founded in 1293 by then-Passau Bishop Bernhard of Pramsbach. Two years later, in 1295, the community joined the Cistercian order. The Collegiate Church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive example of Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high tower. The interior is decorated with valuable artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and Johann Georg Üblhör. The modern mural painting on the nave ceiling was created by Fritz Fröhlich in 1957.
The abbey is known for its liqueurs and beers, which have been produced since 2012. The monks follow the traditional definition of Trappist beers, incorporating locally grown ingredients and ethical and ecological standards. There are currently three beers produced on-site: Nivard, a Belgian Pale Ale; Benno, a doppelbock; and Gregorius, a Tripelbock made with local honey. The abbey also offers guided tours, including a small tour of the Collegiate Church with complimentary liquor sampling and a grand tour that includes a visit to the permanent exhibition.
The abbey has a rich history, including periods of financial difficulty, fires, and confiscation. In 1786, it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II, and the buildings were used for secular purposes. In 1925, the abbey was re-occupied and re-founded as a Trappist monastery by refugee German monks from Oelenberg Abbey in Alsace. In 1931, it was elevated to the rank of an abbey, and the community has since continued the traditions of monastic life, including daily services, study, and manual work.
The abbey is located in a small, quaint town, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and the huge garden. The town is accessible by bike or on foot, and river cruises on the Danube also stop at Engelhartszell, making it a popular destination for those exploring Upper Austria.
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It is the only Trappist monastery in Austria
Engelszell Abbey is located in Engelhartszell, Upper Austria. It is the only Trappist monastery in Austria, and it was founded in 1293 as a Cistercian abbey. The abbey has had a long and tumultuous history, including being confiscated by the Gestapo in 1939 and dissolved by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance in 2023.
Today, the abbey is known for its agricultural produce, particularly its liqueurs, beers, and cheeses. The International Trappist Association approved Engelszell as a producer of Trappist beer in 2012, and it is one of only a few producers outside of Belgium. The abbey offers a variety of beers, including a Belgian Pale Ale called Nivard, a dopplebock called Benno, and a Tripelbock made with local honey called Gregorius. They also produce limited-edition beers, such as the rich and complex Cervisia Stanacum.
In addition to its beers, Engelszell Abbey is known for its liqueurs and chocolates. The monks create a range of liquors, including an apricot liqueur (Marillenlikor) and monastery liqueurs. They also make chocolate nuggets and liquor-filled chocolates. The abbey used to produce cheese, known as Engelszeller Trappistenkäse, but it is no longer made.
The abbey's church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive example of Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high tower. The interior features valuable artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and Johann Georg Üblhör. The ceiling of the nave was repainted with a contemporary work by Fritz Fröhlich after structural damage in 1957. The abbey also has an interesting garden, designed as a mini Danube to educate and entertain children, with an aquarium built into the hillside.
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The Collegiate Church is an example of Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high steeple
The Collegiate Church, or Engelszell Abbey Church, is a stunning example of Rococo architecture. Built between 1754 and 1764, the church stands out for its 76-metre-high steeple, a majestic sight that can be seen from afar. The Rococo style, also known as Late Baroque, originated in France in the 1730s and gradually spread across Europe, particularly to northern Italy, Austria, southern Germany, Central Europe, and Russia.
Engelszell Abbey Church exemplifies the ornamental and dramatic characteristics of Rococo. The exterior of the church is likely to have a simple design, typical of Rococo buildings, while the interior is expected to be extravagantly decorated, featuring intricate details, bright colours, and a fusion of architectural and artistic elements. The interior of the church contains notable artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and the stuccoist Johann Georg Üblhör.
The steeple, rising to a height of 76 metres, is a prominent feature of the church's architecture. Steeples, in general, serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. Aesthetically, they enhance the overall visual appeal of a church, adding a sense of height and grandeur. Functionally, steeples often house bells, facilitating the ringing of bells during religious services and important announcements.
The Collegiate Church, with its high steeple, is a testament to the architectural and artistic prowess of the Rococo period. This style, though less recognised compared to others, offers a unique blend of asymmetry, scrolling curves, gilding, pastel colours, and trompe-l'œil frescoes, creating a sense of surprise, movement, and drama. The influence of Rococo extended beyond architecture, impacting other arts such as sculpture, furniture design, silverware, glassware, painting, music, theatre, and literature.
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The abbey has a large garden with an aquarium built into the hillside
Engelszell Abbey is a Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell, Upper Austria. It is the only Trappist monastery in the country, where monks in traditional robes serve Weisbier to visitors. The abbey church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an impressive structure in the Rococo style, with a 76-metre-high tower. The interior boasts notable artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and Johann Georg Üblhör.
In addition to its impressive church and garden, Engelszell Abbey has a rich history. It was founded in 1699 but suffered a disastrous fire on Easter Sunday of that year, leading to financial difficulties. The abbey was rebuilt between 1754 and 1764 by Leopold Reichl, the last and greatest of Engelszell's abbots of the Common Observance. In 1786, it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II, and the buildings were used for secular purposes.
In 1925, Engelszell was re-established as a Trappist monastery by refugee German monks expelled from Oelenberg Abbey in Alsace after World War I. The monks had temporarily stayed in Banz Abbey before seeking a permanent home in Engelszell. The abbey was elevated to the rank of an abbey in 1931, and the community grew to 73 members by 1939. However, that year, the abbey was confiscated by the Gestapo, and many monks were imprisoned or sent to concentration camps.
Today, Engelszell Abbey is known for its agricultural produce, particularly its liqueurs and beers. It produces three types of beer on its modern 15HL brewhouse: a Belgian Pale Ale called Nivard, a dopplebock called Benno, and a Tripelbock made with local honey named Gregorius. The abbey also has a small gift shop where visitors can purchase these beverages and support the community.
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It is known for its liqueurs, beers, and cheeses, which are produced by the monks
Engelszell Abbey, located on the banks of the Danube in Upper Austria, is known for its liqueurs, beers, and cheeses, which are produced by the monks. The abbey was founded in 1293 by Bernhard of Prambach, Bishop of Passau, as a Cistercian monastery. It has had a long and tumultuous history, including periods of decline and closure, but today it is known for its unique offerings.
The abbey's liqueurs are well-known and have contributed to its reputation. Along with the liqueurs, the monks brew a variety of beers, and this tradition of beer-making has become an integral part of the abbey's identity. The monks currently produce three types of beer: Nivard, a Belgian Pale Ale; Benno, a doppelbock; and Gregorius, a Tripelbock made with local honey. These beers have become sought-after commodities, with people travelling to the abbey to taste them or purchasing them from other sources.
The process of brewing these beers follows strict traditions. The monks follow the rule of St. Benedict, "Ora et labora," or "pray and work." Their daily routine includes six prayer services, starting at 5:30 in the morning, and they dedicate the rest of their day to reading, studying, and manual work, including the production of their famous liqueurs and beers.
In addition to its liqueurs and beers, Engelszell Abbey was once known for its cheese, Engelszeller Trappistenkäse. However, the abbey no longer produces this cheese. The monks' produce and sales support the upkeep of the abbey and charitable causes.
The abbey and its gardens are also notable. The abbey church, built between 1754 and 1764, boasts impressive Rococo architecture, with a 76-metre-high tower. The interior features artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and the stuccoist Johann Georg Üblhör. The gardens, designed to entertain and educate children, include a unique mini-Danube feature and an aquarium built into the hillside, housing a large sturgeon.
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Frequently asked questions
Engelszell Abbey is located in Engelhartszell, Upper Austria, on the banks of the Danube.
Engelszell Abbey is home to a small group of monks who follow the rule of St. Benedict, "Ora et labora", or "pray and work". The Collegiate Church, built between 1754 and 1764, is an example of Baroque Rococo architecture and features valuable artworks by Bartolomeo Altomonte, Joseph Deutschmann, and Johann Georg Üblhör. The abbey also has a large garden with an aquarium built into the hillside.
You can join a guided tour of the Collegiate Church, which includes complimentary liquor sampling. You can also visit the Gatehouse, which is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on December 8 and 25.
Engelszell Abbey is known for its liqueurs and beers, which are made by the monks themselves. They currently produce three beers: Nivard, a Belgian Pale Ale; Benno, a doppelbock; and Gregorius, a Tripelbock made with local honey. They also sell other products such as honey, lavender, and Trappist cheese.
Yes, there is a bistro situated opposite the monastery, as well as a hotel-restaurant called "Zum Goldenen Schiff" within walking distance of the abbey.
