Benedictine Monastery with Black Madonna

Overview

Hint

Einsiedeln

Lucerne – Lake Lucerne Region

Show on map
Contact

Einsiedeln-Ybrig-Zürichsee AG
Hauptstrasse 85
8840 Einsiedeln
Phone +41 (0)55 418 44 88
eyz.swiss

Intro

Pilgrims have been visiting the monastery of Einsiedeln for over 1000 years. The monastery lies in the midst of a breathtaking landscape with a deep blue lake and jagged mountain tops. Today more and more nature lovers and culture-minded visitors are joining the pilgrims.

Media gallery

Images

All 1 more images open in gallery

Videos

Media gallery

Slide 1 of 5 Kloster Bibliothek Einsiedeln

Slide 2 of 5 Madonna, Kloster Einsiedeln

Slide 4 of 5 Marstall Elgin Lichtenauer, Kloster Einsiedeln

Slide 5 of 5

The monastery of Einsiedeln was built as a Baroque edifice with four inner courtyards in the 18th century. Before that time Romanesque and Gothic buildings defined the monastery, which was founded by the Benedictine monk Meinrad in the year 835. The Mercy Chapel (Gnadenkapelle), made of black marble, is located in the monastery's church, under a dome with frescoes. The famous Black Madonna dating to the 15th century is found in that chapel.

The monastery complex includes not only the living space for the monks but also a diocese school, ten workshops, a wine cellar for the monastery's own wine and stables for the monastery's own breed of horses. By means of concerts, guided tours, and public masses, the Benedictine monks allow everyone to take part in their lives and discover what is probably Switzerland's most impressive monastery complex.

Getting there: By train from Zurich directly to Einsiedeln. The monastery is about 15 minutes' walk from the station.

General information

Show Technical information content
Season	All year
Time required	2 to 4 hours (half day)
Suitable for children with age	14+ years
Suitable for	Groups, Individual, Couples
Weather	Indoor
Category	Education