Discovery of

the Precious

Welcome to Dürnstein Abbey!

2019 marked the beginning of a new phase in the fascinating history of Dürnstein Abbey. We, the Augustinian Canons of Herzogenburg Abbey, as the owners of Dürnstein Abbey have worked with the State of Lower Austria and the Friends’ Association to create a new museum landscape, opening up a new approach to this landmark of the Wachau Valley.

Dürnstein Abbey is a baroque jewel. Here Provost Hieronymus Übelbacher (1710–1740) succeeded brilliantly in translating the spirit and faith of his time into the language of architecture.

With its newly designed exhibition, we invite you to immerse yourself in the spirit and ideas that underlie the construction of Dürnstein Abbey and to contemplate the meaning of ‘the Good – the Beautiful – the True’: topics that still remain present today.

Redesign:

2019

Church Services

Every Sunday and public holiday a church service will take place, certain safety precautions apply:

  • 8.15 a.m., parish church of Loiben
  • 9.30 a.m., abbey church Dürnstein

Start of season 2023

As of now, our exhibition “Discovery of the Precious” is again open daily. We are looking forward to your visit!

Opening Times and Ticket Prices

Side by side since 1788

Dürnstein Abbey is administratively part of Herzogenburg Abbey, the spiritual center in the lower Traisen Valley. Visit the baroque synthesis of the arts by Jakob Prandtauer and Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach with one of the last completely preserved baroque picture halls – in only 30 minutes drive from Dürnstein!

Visit Herzogenburg Abbey

A Short History

This history of Dürnstein Abbey begins in 1372 with the consecration of a Mary Chapel paid for by Elisabeth von Kuenring. In 1410, Augustinian Canons were brought to Dürnstein from Wittingau in Bohemia and the expanded building complex was established as a monastery. Over the course of the fifteenth century, the canons constructed the church, priory and cloister.

300 years after the monastery was founded, Hieronymus Übelbacher was elected Provost. He was in charge of the baroque renovations and oversaw the new artistic concept.

The Abbey Church, which has been a parish church since 1745, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary’s assumption into Heaven (patronal festival: 15 August). The tower of the Abbey Church, which dates to 1733, is the most elegant building in the entire complex. With its striking blue and white colours, it has become the landmark of the Wachau Valley.

Many monasteries were dissolved during the reign of Emperor Joseph II. This fate befell Dürnstein Abbey on 7 January 1788. The Abbey was dissolved and given as a parish to the Augustinian Canons of Herzogenburg Abbey, who still own it today.

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