Einsiedeln Monastery

6 Highlights at Einsiedeln Abbey

• The monastery church in Einsiedeln dates back to a hermitage built in the 9th century.
• Today it is a famous pilgrimage site and stage of the Way of St. James.
• The black Madonna in the Chapel of Grace is a special feature of the monastery church.
• The monastery library contains around 230,000 printed books.
• The monastery stables are home to the oldest intact stud farm in Europe.
• The monastery square is the venue and setting for the mystery play "The Great World Theater".

What awaits you at Einsiedeln Abbey

You can visit Einsiedeln Abbey on a private or public guided tour. Afterwards, the history and life in Einsiedeln are described in a slide show.

Pilgrims even have the opportunity to spend the night in the monastery. If you are expecting a restaurant in the monastery: there is none here. And there is one rule you should strictly adhere to: Photos and videos are not permitted in the monastery church. It is not a tourist destination, but a sacred place. In addition, the privacy of monks, pilgrims and pilgrims should be protected.

You should also dress accordingly (shoulders covered, no shorts or skirts).

The monastery church is even wheelchair accessible. Assistance is only required to visit the lower church and the confessional church, but the sacristans are happy to help. There is a guest area in the monastery, which is even equipped with a lift. This means that the "Great Hall" can also be visited with a wheelchair. This is a baroque ceremonial room in which concerts and other cultural events are also held.

Einsiedeln Abbey Church

The baroque church is an important ecclesiastical building north of the Alps, which was consecrated by Abbot Nikolaus in 1735. The church of the monastery was rebuilt several times after fires. The double-towered church has a separate choir as well as the Christmas and communion domes. It also has an octagonal vault under which the Chapel of Grace is located. Magnificent frescoes and stucco work from the Baroque period are lavishly scattered throughout the church.

at 16:30 you can attend the monks' vespers. Afterwards, they sing the 18th century "Salve Regina" for several voices in the Chapel of Grace. Incidentally, the monastery church is rather cool in all areas, not just in winter. You should therefore take a jacket with you.

Regular pilgrimages to Einsiedeln Abbey have been taking place since at least the 14th century. The church of the Benedictine monastery attracts Catholics who visit the Chapel of Grace with the Black Madonna.

The black Madonna dates from around the middle of the 15th century, after the previous miraculous image fell victim to fire. The black coloring was caused by the soot from the many lamps and candles that were lit in front of the figure for centuries. Later, after a restoration, black paint was applied directly.

Christ is said to have consecrated the chapel on September 14, 948, accompanied by saints and angels. This is why the consecration of the angels is celebrated every year on September 14. This day is a public holiday in Einsiedeln.

Abbey library in Einsiedeln Abbey

You can only enter the abbey library of the Benedictine monastery as part of a guided tour. It contains around 230,000 printed books from the 16th century onwards, as well as manuscripts and printed books from the early days of the printing press. There are even manuscripts and books from the 10th century, i.e. from the time when the monastery was founded.

Stables in Einsiedeln Abbey

The current monastery complex was built at the beginning of the 18th century. The baroque stables of the monastery were added in 1765. The oldest stud farm in Europe can be found here, which had its beginnings in the 15th century. The horses bred here are the "Cavalli della Madonna". They are warmbloods. The right to breed horses was granted on February 24, 1064 by King Henry IV.

Monastery square in front of Einsiedeln Monastery

Einsiedeln Abbey Square is the second largest contiguous church forecourt in Europe. Only St. Peter's Square in Rome is larger.

It benefited from a 14th century decree that forbade building on the square for fire safety reasons. Today, the "Fountain of Our Lady", built in 1747, stands in the center of the square. It features a bronze, gilded figure of the Virgin Mary. It was created by the Milanese sculptor Domenico Pozzi in 1752. Both sides of the square have semi-circular arcades with devotional stores.

Since 1924, the monastery square has also been the venue and setting for the mystery play "Das große Welttheater" and new plays written especially for Einsiedeln.

Getting to Einsiedeln Abbey

The journey to Einsiedeln Abbey is well organized by public transport and well signposted for buses and cars.

Public transportation

Especially on big pilgrimage days, you should use public transport to get to the monastery. The train station is only a 10-minute walk away. The train from Zurich takes about an hour. In Wädenswil you have to change to the S13, which will take you to Einsiedeln.

From St. Gallen you need about 1:45 hours with a change in Rapperswil and Samstagern.

By car

From Zurich, take the A3 highway and drive along the southern shore of Lake Zurich. At exit 37, continue in the direction of Einsiedeln and later follow route 8 and the signs for "Kloster".

From St. Gallen it will take you about 1:30 hours by car. Take the A1 to Wil and take exit 77, then follow Route 16, T16 and Route 8 to Eschenbach. From there, take the A15 and A3 to exit 39 Schindellegi. From here, follow routes 8 and 9 to Einsiedeln.

At the entrance to the village there are a few parking spaces at the cemetery. There is a parking garage north of the monastery and a few more parking spaces opposite the monastery square.