Each and every year, I am amazed at the openness of the monasteries & abbeys in Austria. “Kremsmünster accommodates the oldest public school in Austria”, says Father Daniel, and smiles. “It was opened in 1546, almost 800 years after the foundation of the monastery in 777!” Fascinated, Angelika Mandler and I have been listening to him for about an hour now – and completely forgotten about the time. The monastery walls, with their hundreds of years of cultural history, have a lot to offer. In any case, more than we can see in just one afternoon.
And, wait: A vegan restaurant and a wine cellar in a monastery?!
“You have a whole selection of different vegan menus?”, I exclaim in surprise as we sit together having dinner with Father Klaus at the abbey restaurant of Saint Florian. “I mean, this is really something, you know!”, I add. Father Klaus is visibly proud and delighted. The combination of a vegan restaurant, overnight stays in the monastery as well as a visit to the (world) famous Bruckner organ is totally unique, I believe. Both abbeys, St. Florian as well as Kremsmünster, do not lack real attractions to discover.
Arriving at the Benedictine Abbey of Kremsmünster …
… we love the views across the Alps further south …
… just as much as we love arriving at the monastery of Saint Florian later that day …
… and this is where you get to stay: Perhaps the most luxurious monastery stay you have ever dared to think of!
Vegan menus: Why not have them in a monastery, too?
Cheers to our happy exchange, having dinner with Father Klaus Sonnleitner at the Abbey of Saint Florian.
The museums, the abbey churches as well as the libraries of both abbeys around Linz invite you to come and marvel at the collected knowledge of centuries of European history.
As an “old bookworm”, my heart always rejoices in such time-honored library rooms like we can see at the abbeys of Kremsmünster and Saint Florian. Amazement, fascination, curiosity, admiration, and respect for the thousands of people (and books) boil up inside of me, books which hold centuries of knowledge as a unique reflection of European cultural history. The Abbey of Kremsmünster alone welcomes 20.000 visitors each year, which besides its library houses the famous “Tassilo Cup” dating back to the year 700. On special occasions, it is brought out of its glass paneling: How does it feel, I wonder, to drink from a 1300-year-old pitcher?
Join us as we keep discovering the abbey of Kremsmünster …
… past this group of creative travellers, sitting across the abbey walls as part of a painting course (I would love to do that too!) …
… love the modern museum rooms too …
… the joy of Father Daniel, highlighting different museum exhibits …
… all the way to the precious abbey library here!
And if you enter the abbey church, be ready to be knocked off your feet with all its Baroque splendour …
… equally to be seen in the abbey church of Saint Florian (“the heaven is said to rise here”) …
… and look at the marble hall, palace-like, at the abbey of Saint Florian, used as a stage for all kinds of events …
… as well as the library, equally proud and bountiful, which we are led to discover with the charming local monks.
Unique to Saint Florian: An experience of the world-famous Bruckner organ at close quarters – above, below, and behind the scenes!
My friend Angelika especially, was very moved at being offered the chance to play the mighty organ of the world-famous composer Anton Bruckner, and then to look behind the scenes of the same, 7.380 (!) pipe-strong instrument. It became even more special when Father Klaus Sonnleitner offered to take us down to the last resting place of Anton Bruckner, whose tomb lies directly below the beloved and perfected organ he played during his lifetime. Check this out.
Ready to discover what lies behind the abbey walls of Saint Florian ..?
Treasures, such as the tomb of world-famous composer Anton Bruckner for instance …
… now played by Father Klaus Sonnleitner, who is a talented organist …
… we take a look behind the scenes of this mighty instrument together with him …
… before Angelika herself is invited to play!
Unique to Kremsmünster: Natural (garden) treasures.
Until 15 October 2017 still, you can spend a whole day or a whole weekend in Kremsmünster following the so-called “Dreiklang der Gärten”: The abbey park as well as the surrounding town gardens invite you to linger and discover their treasures. Angelika and I muse about learning yet another superlative: The fig house of Kremsmünster Abbey is the oldest greenhouse in Europe! Do also make sure you climb the nearby Sternwarte (possible as part of a guided tour): The view from the top of the building as well as the scientific collection inside will inspire you!
Spring walk through the abbey park in Kremsmünster …
… walking up the Sternwarte, the highest building around …
… is worth it as much for its exhibition of natural history artefacts …
… as well as an exhibition of the so-called “flower chapel” here.
Thank you, and Prost, dear Father Daniel Silorsch, over saying goodbye with a good glass of wine in the abbey wine cellar! 😀
My dear colleague & friend Angelika has also published the following blog posts & photographs about her visit:
- “Stift Kremsmünster: Von Gärten, Büchern und klugen Menschen.“
- “St. Florian: Kloster für Fortgeschrittene.“
Disclaimer: We have been invited on this trip to the abbeys of Saint Florian & Kremsmünster. All opinions are my own.