Benediktinerstift Seitenstetten

The Abbey of Seitenstetten is a vibrant monastic community with 25 monks who are primarily engaged in parish pastoral care and education.

The monastery was founded in 1112 by Udalschalk von Stille and Heft. The first monks came from Göttweig. As early as the Middle Ages, parishes were entrusted to the abbey—currently, the fathers oversee 14 parish communities, including the pilgrimage basilica of the Holy Trinity at Sonntagberg. The monastic community celebrates the Divine Office in the Romanesque Knights’ Chapel from the 12th century and in the early Gothic abbey church from the 13th century. In 1718, construction began on the Baroque reconstruction of the monastery complex. Notable cultural treasures include the Baroque library, scientific collections, and an art gallery. The cultural life of the monastery features church music on feast days as well as concerts. A Baroque garden, the Hofgarten, invites visitors to contemplation and relaxation. For over 200 years, Seitenstetten Abbey has operated a public secondary school (Gymnasium), which currently has 450 students.