Mariastein Abbey
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Why go
- Switzerland’s second most important pilgrimage destination after Einsiedeln Abbey.
- Votive plaques along the grotto path reflect pilgrims’ belief in the Madonna’s miracles.
- The Marian statue, surrounded by little angels, has its present form from the 17th century.
Opening hours
Today06:30 – 20:15Show all
Don't miss
- Painted ceilings and naveLothar Albert painted the ceiling scenes and nave cycle in 1931–1933. The ceiling depicts the fall miracle and the Madonna; wall paintings show episodes from Saint Benedict’s life.Church ceiling and nave
- Choir screenThe wrought-iron screen dates to 1695 and was a gift from Louis XIV.At the choir
- Altar dedicated to Saint BenedictThe 1680 altar has carved columns, marble saint figures and seasonal altar pictures.Church
- Sacramental altarMade by Heinrich Scharpf’s workshop in 1645, this altar stands beside the Marian statue.Beside the Marian statue
- Church organsThe church has two organs; a third is in the cave chapel.Church and cave chapel
Know before you go
- Open daily, 06:30–20:15.
- Klosterplatz 1, 4115 Metzerlen-Mariastein.
- Telephone: +41 61 735 11 11.
Interesting facts3
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The pilgrimage became popular in Switzerland, southern Germany and Alsace.
Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-la-Pierre - Wikipedia -
The pilgrimage is recognized as one of Switzerland’s living traditions and draws people from different ethnic and religious communities.
Kloster Mariastein - Wikipedia -
The abbey buildings are protected as a historic monument.
Kloster Mariastein - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Mariastein Abbey in SwitzerlandAlain Deppe
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Easter 2024. The watcher of Mariastein Abbeymeimarkus
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Mariastein Abbey in SwitzerlandAlain Deppe
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Mariastein Abbey SwitzerlandPinoy Couple of Good Voyage
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Mariastein Abbey SwitzerlandPinoy Couple of Good Voyage
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#Mariastein #Abbey#Mariastein#Basel#switzerland#Aart Channel
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Mariastein Abbey Metzerlen-Mariastein Switzerland 20220711SeniorGlobeTrekkers
History
Augustinian hermits from Basel cared for the pilgrimage site. In 1874, the monks went into exile in Delle, France. After their expulsion from France in 1902, they stayed briefly near Hallein and then moved to Bregenz.
- 1434A stone chapel at the site was first definitely recorded.
- 1466–1470The first pilgrimage chapel burned in 1466 and was rebuilt in 1470.
- 1530The second chapel was looted and destroyed during the Reformation.
- 1541Hans Thüring Reich von Reichenstein was said to have survived a fall from the cliff; pilgrimage revived, and his family enlarged the chapel.
- 1636Benedictine monks from Beinwil took charge of the pilgrimage.
Show all
- 1648Abbot Fintan Kiefer moved the Beinwil community to Mariastein and founded the abbey.
- 1798–1802French troops sacked the monastery and exiled its monks in 1798. The monks returned and re-established the abbey in 1802.
- 1926Pope Pius XI raised the church to a minor basilica on 5 July.
- 1941After the Gestapo closed their monastery in Bregenz, the monks returned and received asylum at Mariastein.
- 1971Following a 1970 referendum, the abbey was re-established on 21 June 1971.
- 2026The abbey marks 100 years since its Marian image was crowned and the church was raised to minor basilica status.
Sources: Mariastein Abbey - Wikipedia · Kloster Mariastein · Kloster Mariastein · Kloster Mariastein · Kloster Mariastein - Wikipedia · Abbaye Notre-Dame-de-la-Pierre - Wikipedia · Abbazia di Mariastein - Wikipedia · checked 11 Oct 2026
- Website
- kloster-mariastein.ch/
- Phone
- 0041617351111
Nearby places
Eat and drink nearby
Where to stay nearby
Questions and answers
Which congregation does Mariastein Abbey belong to?
It belongs to the Swiss Benedictine Congregation.
What is the Reichensteiner Kapelle at Mariastein Abbey?
The Reichensteiner family treated the chapel as their family shrine.
Which approach to Mariastein Abbey follows the historic pilgrim route?
The western approach follows the historic pilgrim route.
What does the treasury at Mariastein Abbey contain?
It includes a 17th-century jeweled enamel chalice by Wilhelm Krauer.
What anniversary does Mariastein Abbey mark in 2026?
It marks 100 years since its miraculous image was crowned and the church was raised to minor basilica status.
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