Photo: Weidlinger

Stift Engelszell - ehemals einziges Trappistenkloster Österreichs

Engelhartszell, Upper Austria

The abbey was founded in 1293 by Bishop Bernhard (Wernhart) von Prambach and settled by the Cistercian Order in 1295. As a daughter monastery of Wilhering Abbey, it thus belonged to the filiation of the primary abbey of Morimond. The Reformation brought a considerable economic and spiritual decline to the abbey, which was stopped from 1618 onwards – again through the commitment of the mother monastery Wilhering. In 1786, it was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II; subsequently, the monastery buildings served their secular owners as, among other things, a factory and a representative residence.In 1925, the Trappists, who had been expelled from the Alsatian abbey of Oelenberg and had previously found temporary refuge in the Franconian monastery of Banz, found their new home in Engelszell. In 1931, Engelszell Abbey was finally elevated to an abbey, Prior P. Gregorius Eisvogel was elected abbot and blessed by Bishop DDr. Johannes Maria Gföllner in Wilhering Abbey.Engelszell Abbey Church (built from 1754 to 1764) is an impressive church in the Rococo style. It is crowned by a 76 m high tower and is equipped with remarkable artworks by Johann Georg Üblhör, Joseph Deutschmann and Bartolomeo Altomonte. The ceiling of the nave of the church was contemporarily designed with a painting by Prof. Fritz Fröhlich around 1957 after structural damage.https://tour.3d-innviertel.at/tour/stift-engelszellThe “Cistercians of the Strict Observance”, popularly known as “Trappists”, always have a bit of a mysterious aura about them. It is no secret, however, that the monks of this contemplative order are sometimes quite good brewers.In a total of eight breweries in the Netherlands, Belgium and now also in the Innviertel, they produce strong beers that truly deserve this name: Trappist beers have an alcohol content between six and twelve percent. They have a very distinctive taste and are produced only in small quantities.Since spring 2012, beer has also been brewed at Engelszell Abbey – unique in Austria.The varieties: Gregorius, Benno and Nivard; there is also a Trappisten Weiße and a Trappisten-Zwickl! The abbey is also known for its excellent monastery liqueurs!Guided tours are offered for the abbey church and for small groups also in the Trappist beer brewery – but only with prior registration. The liqueur production and the beautiful abbey library cannot be visited, but here you can find a 3D tour of the abbey library: https://tour.3d-innviertel.at/tour/bibliothek-stift-engelszellAt the end of Engelhartszell (towards Linz) turn right into Stiftstraßeon the left side