Heiligenkreuz Abbey
Markgraf-Leopold-Platz 1, Heiligenkreuz, Lower Austria, 2531
Found roughly half an hour from Vienna among the Vienna Woods, Heiligenkreuz Abbey is the oldest continuously inhabited Cistercian monastery in the world. Established in 1133 by St. Leopold III, this living monastery features ornate architecture and sees monks performing Gregorian chants at the abbey five times a day.
The basics
At Heiligenkreuz Abbey, visitors can walk the grounds of the monastery, admire its courtyard fountain and trinity column, and see inside the impressive church with its baroque paintings. You can comfortably explore the abbey in one hour and while away any spare time at the inn across the parking lot. Vienna day tours that go to Heiligenkreuz Abbey usually include stops at other destinations in the Vienna Woods.
Things to know before you go
Modifications to the abbey, such as the installation of access ramps, enable access for visitors in wheelchairs and with mobility impairments.
Filming and photography are only permitted for personal use, but recordings and photography of monks in chorus are not allowed.
The forest surrounding the abbey is home to several hiking trails, perfect for exploring the Vienna Woods.
Mass services are held daily in different chapels and churches; on Sundays, they take place several times a day.
How to get there
Heiligenkreuz is found roughly 19 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Vienna within the Vienna Woods. The village sits just off the A21 motorway leading out of the Vienna city limits. Directly outside the entrance to the abbey is a modest parking lot. There are limited options to get there by public transport, as the #169 bus route from Südtiroler Platz bus station at Vienna Central Train Station only runs a couple of times per day.
When to get there
The best time to visit Heiligenkreuz Abbey will depend on whether you wish to attend mass or not. It can be best to avoid going on the weekend, as Saturdays are generally the busiest day of the week and the reduced hours on Sunday mean people all visit at the same time. For the full experience, try to time your visit to line up with one of the Gregorian chant prayer times.
Places to visit in the Vienna Woods
The forested foothills of the Vienna Woods cover a wide area southwest of Vienna, meaning the Heiligenkreuz Abbey is just one of many places tourists will want to visit. For one, there’s Baden bei Wien, a spa town with musical heritage and the gorgeous Kurpark that backs onto the Vienna Woods. Closer to Heiligenkreuz is Karmel Mayerling, a hunting lodge turned monastery where Crown Prince Rudolf met a grizzly end in 1889.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!