Einsiedeln Abbey

The awe-inspiring heart of Einsiedeln are the Baroque monastery precincts, complete with abbey, dating from the 18th century. Einsiedeln Monastery is a place of prayer – in silence or as a congregation. You can visit the abbey, the Chapel of Our Lady or one of the side chapels and attend the masses open to the public.

Forming an integral whole with the monastery, Einsiedeln Abbey is one of the most important Baroque buildings north of the Alps. It was consecrated by Abbot Nikolaus in 1735.

Inside, the frescoes and stucco of brothers Cosmas Damian and Egid Quirin Asam merge with the architecture to imbue the abbey with sumptuous splendour that is typical of the late Baroque. The church is composed of a separate chancel, the Christmas and communion dome, and the octagonal vault under which the Chapel of Our Lady with the Black Madonna is housed.

The monks sing Vespers in the Chapel of Our Lady at 4.30 p.m. This evening prayers service closes with a late 18th century setting of the polyphonic antiphon, Salve Regina.

The tradition goes back to a foundation established in 1547: the Cistercian Abbot Johannes von Lenzingen, ejected from Maulbronn monastery in Germany amid the confusion of the Reformation, came to Einsiedeln, where he established the foundation – and died that same year. He was interred next to the Chapel of Our Lady. The Salve Regina, a prayer to Mary, Mother of God, is one of the four Marian antiphons sung since the 13th century at the end of the Liturgy of the Hours (Compline or Vespers).

Daily (except Good Friday and Holy Saturday) at approx. 5 p.m. (after Vespers, which commence at 4.30 p.m.)

Easter to All Saints' Day: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
All Saints' Day to Easter: 6 a.m.-8.30 p.m.

Admission to the abbey is free, but it can also be visited as part of a guided tour organised by the Einsiedeln Tourist Office.