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Admont Abbey
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monastery
Admont Abbey in Upper Styria is the oldest existing monastery in the state and world-famous for its monumental monastic library. The Benedictine abbey was founded in 1074 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg and quickly developed into a spiritual and cultural center. The library hall, completed in 1776, is the largest of its kind in the world at 70 meters long, impressing with its late Baroque architecture, ceiling frescoes by Bartolomeo Altomonte, and sculptures by Josef Stammel. The monastery houses over 200,000 volumes, including valuable incunabula and medieval manuscripts. Following a devastating fire in 1865, the abbey was largely rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style, while the library was fortunately spared. Today, Admont presents itself as a modern museum complex that unites natural history, art history, and contemporary art under one roof, attracting numerous international visitors annually.
- Location: Styria, Austria
- Top sights: Schloss Röthelstein · Leichenberg
- Nearby: Liezen (16 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -5 | -4 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 1 | -3 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 59 | 71 | 68 | 129 | 156 | 166 | 166 | 125 | 88 | 68 | 65 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
Admont Abbey is famous for its magnificent library, which can be visited. The church, museum, and park are also open to the public, only the monks' living quarters are private.
Typical hours
The library is typically open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from April to October, with shorter hours from November to March. Special hours apply on holidays, check the website.
Photography
Photography without flash and tripod is permitted in the library. In the museum and church similar rules apply, while special exhibitions often prohibit photography.
Time needed
Allow at least two hours for the library, museum, and church. If you also want to explore the park and monastery grounds, plan for three hours or more.
Combine with
The abbey lies at the entrance to Gesäuse National Park, offering great hiking opportunities. The nearby town of Liezen and the cable car to Dachstein are also worthwhile destinations.
Getting there
Admont is reachable by car via the B146 road or the Pyhrn Autobahn A9, with parking at the abbey. Public transport includes bus to Admont or train to Liezen.
Insider tip
Book your library ticket online in advance to avoid queues, especially in peak season. Bring a jacket as the rooms are kept quite cool.
Geography
Facts
- World's largest monastic library at 70 meters long.
- Founded in 1074 by Archbishop Gebhard.
- Houses approximately 1,400 valuable manuscripts.
- The library hall was completed in the year 1776.
- It was the only part to survive the Great Fire of 1865.
- Includes one of Austria's largest private museums.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Admont Abbey (2)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is Admont Abbey world-famous for?
For the largest monastic library in the world, with impressive frescoes and sculptures.
When was the abbey founded?
The Benedictine abbey was founded in 1074.
Are there other museums besides the library?
Yes, a Natural History Museum, an Art History Museum, and a Museum of Contemporary Art.
Is photography allowed in the library?
Photography is allowed for private purposes without flash for a fee.
Where is the abbey located?
In Admont, at the entrance to the Gesäuse National Park in Styria.
Admont Abbey: where is it located?
Admont Abbey is located in Styria, Austria.
Admont Abbey: what is there to see?
Highlights include Schloss Röthelstein, Leichenberg.
Admont Abbey: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Admont Abbey: why is it worth visiting?
Admont Abbey in Upper Styria is the oldest existing monastery in the state and world-famous for its monumental monastic library.
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