Mauerbach Charterhouse

The Mauerbach Charterhouse is a Carthusian monastery featuring early baroque architecture with a grand church, imperial wing, and a series of enclosed gardens. Each section of the complex served specific functions, from the main sanctuary to individual monk cells arranged around private garden spaces.

Founded in 1313 by the nobleman Gerlach, the monastery developed into an important Carthusian center in the Austrian territories. Its monastic life ended in 1782 when Emperor Joseph II ordered its dissolution as part of broader religious reforms.

This Carthusian community was built on the principle of solitude, with each monk occupying a separate cell and small garden removed from communal spaces. The layout still reveals how monks structured their days around prayer, work, and contemplation in individual isolation.

Entry to the monastery requires advance booking through the Federal Monuments Office for guided tours that show the historical buildings and grounds. The site is situated outside the town center, so plan travel time accordingly to reach it.

Archaeological digs in the monastery latrines uncovered complete household inventories including Italian majolica pottery and evidence of fish, beaver, and turtle farming. These discoveries reveal surprisingly sophisticated food sources in a monastic community known for strict austerity.