Monastery of the Augustinian canons in Durnstein (Stift Duernstein) description and photos - Austria: Lower Austria (Topic)

Monastery of the Augustinian canons in Durnstein (Stift Duernstein) description and photos - Austria: Lower Austria. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Stift Duernstein.

Photo and description

The hallmark of the town of Durnstein, located in the Wachau Valley, is the high blue-and-white belfry of the Marie-Himmelfarth Church, which is part of the monastery of the Augustinian canons.

The temple was built in the first half of the 18th century, and the monastery itself appeared on the banks of the Danube much earlier - in 1410. Before that, on the site of the present monastery church, there was already a chapel of the Virgin Mary with a spacious crypt. In 1710 Hieronymus Ubelbacher became the abbot of the monastery in Durnstein. He initiated the rebuilding of the complex entrusted to him in the Baroque style. Three architects worked on the reconstruction of the abbey of the Augustinian canons: Matthias Steinl, Jakob Prandtauer and Joseph Munggenast.

In 1788, the monastery was abolished by order of Emperor Joseph II. At the moment, the abbey again belongs to the Augustinian monks. It houses a center for international meetings.

In 1985, thanks to generous donations from several organizations, the monastery complex in Durnstein was rebuilt. The reconstruction cost 50 million shillings. At the end of the 20th century, the crypt and the church of Marie-Himmelfart were renovated. Its tower is decorated with valuable reliefs on the theme of the Way of the Cross of Christ. It is crowned with a cross - a symbol of Christ's victory over suffering and death. Under the pommel, you can see the figures of four evangelists.

The monastery of the Augustinian canons is open for visits from April to November. During the tour, you can see the two courtyards of the monastery and visit the church.

We also recommend reading Citadel of Cascais (Cidadela de Cascais) description and photos - Portugal: Cascais

Topic: Monastery of the Augustinian canons in Durnstein (Stift Duernstein) description and photos - Austria: Lower Austria.