In this article, you will find detailed information about the two beloved attractions of Klosterneuburg.
- Klosterneuburg Monastery
- Guided Tours of the Monastery
- Additional Essential Information for Visiting the Monastery
- The Water Park and Playground
Klosterneuburg Monastery
This is the most impressive building in the town and the most prominent among the small townhouses. The monastery is very ancient, and parts of it were built as early as 1114 for the Catholic Augustinian order. The founder of the monastery was Saint Leopold III of the House of Babenberg, who is considered the patron saint of all of Austria. Inside the complex is an ancient prayer hall containing the tomb of Saint Leopold. The church within the monastery complex was founded in 1136 but was redesigned in the Baroque style in the 17th century. In fact, most of the buildings in the monastery complex were renovated between 1730 and 1834 under the orders of the Habsburg emperors.
To this day, monks from the Augustinian order live in the monastery, working there and maintaining its proper functioning.
This is what the monastery looks like today:
Inside the monastery is the Verdun Altar, built in 1181 by Nicholas of Verdun. The altar is constructed in three parts and contains 51 decorated metal panels, similar to the Shrine of the Three Kings in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
The monastery has a museum with collections of Gothic and Baroque sculptures and paintings. Among the exhibits, you can see paintings by the 16th-century artist Rueland Frueauf, paintings from the back of the altar from 1331, ancient bronze statues, and more.
There is also a display in the Treasury Chamber with exhibits from the time it was founded until the 20th century. The most impressive and important exhibit in the Treasury is the Archducal Hat of Austria from 1616. It is a stunningly beautiful hat, studded with precious stones and wrapped in high-quality fur. The hat has been preserved in exceptional condition.
In addition, there is an exhibition in the monastery of modern works of art related to the world of religion.
Near the monastery, there are many vineyards and fruit orchards, and the art of winemaking at the monastery is over 900 years old. The monastery’s wine production is considered particularly fine and delicious.
Guided Tours of Klosterneuburg Monastery
1. The Regular Tour
This tour begins in the ancient medieval cloister, which features the seven-branched candelabrum from the 12th century. From there, it continues to the exhibition room of ancient Gothic artworks. From the cloister, the tour proceeds to the burial chamber of Saint Leopold, the founder of the monastery. In this room, you can see the famous and ancient Verdun Altar. The tour ends in the impressive Baroque-style church, in the center of which is an ancient organ from the 17th century, preserved in its original form.
- Cost of the tour: €14.50 per person (this price includes the entrance fee to the monastery + entry to the Treasury and the temporary exhibition).
- Duration: 60 minutes.
- Tour Times:
- Winter (November to end of April): Daily at 11:00 AM.
- Summer (May to November): Monday to Friday at 10:00 AM and 4:45 PM.
2. Guided Tour of the Wine Cellar
The monastery’s winery is the oldest of its kind in Austria. On this tour, you can see the monastery’s ancient wine cellar. The cellar has 4 levels and is 36 meters deep. During the tour, you will hear stories and information about the history of winemaking in Klosterneuburg over the last 900 years. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to taste some of the local produce.
- Cost of the tour: €17 per person (this price includes the entrance fee to the monastery + entry to the Treasury and the temporary exhibition).
- Duration: 60 minutes.
- Tour Times:
- Winter (November to end of April): Daily at 1:00 PM.
- Summer (May to November): Monday to Friday at 1:00 PM and 2:45 PM. Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 PM.
3. The Grand Monastery Tour
This tour includes the rooms from the regular tour, but in addition, you will see the Marble Hall, decorated with impressive ceiling paintings, and the private rooms of Emperor Charles VI.
- Cost of the tour: €17 per person (this price includes the entrance fee to the monastery + entry to the Treasury and the temporary exhibition).
- Duration: 90 minutes.
- Tour Times:
- Winter (November to end of April): Daily at 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM.
- Summer (May to November): Daily at 11:15 AM and 3:00 PM.
Additional Essential Information for Visiting Klosterneuburg Monastery
You can also enter the monastery without a guided tour. With every ticket purchase, you receive 4 hours of free parking.
Operating Hours:
- Winter (November to end of April): Daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Summer (May to November): Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Closed on: December 25, 26, and 31.
- On January 1st, open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Monastery Wine Shop:
- Monday to Friday: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Saturday: from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Closed on Sundays and holidays.
Cost of entry to the monastery without a guided tour: €10.
- Admission includes a visit to the Treasury, the temporary exhibition, and the monastery museum.
- You can add €2 for an audio guide. There is also an audio guide for children.
Address: Stiftsplatz 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg
How to get there from Vienna?
You can easily reach the monastery by public transport from Vienna. Take the U-Bahn to the Spittelau station (lines U4 and U6, the green and brown lines, stop here). From there, take the regional train S40 towards Tulln/Donau Stadt Bahnhof and get off at the Klosterneuburg Kierling Bahnhof station. From this station, you will have to walk about 10 minutes to the monastery entrance.
You can plan your route using this website.
Map:
The Klosterneuburg Water Park
If you decide to go to the monastery on a hot summer day and are looking for a good place to cool off, the town’s water park is perfect for you.
This complex is outdoors and has no covered area. It is located right next to the Danube River. It’s a nice place to spend a few hours with the kids. The complex has a play pool with a water slide, a waterfall, a lazy river, and more. Part of the complex has a sandy beach area, and there are also beach volleyball courts, a basketball court, a soccer field, a slackline, table tennis, and even a chess area.
You can rent a pedal boat for a ride on the part of the Danube next to the pool or pay a little extra for a fun trampoline for the kids.
Address: Strandbadstraße 104, 3400 Klosterneuburg
How to get there?
From the monastery, you will have to walk to the pool for about 20 minutes. There is no way to go by public transport.
Map:
If you want to combine a stunningly beautiful place that is not far from Klosterneuburg, you should visit Kreuzenstein Castle. It is an ancient and impressive medieval castle, standing on a bare hill, about 265 meters above sea level.
