Kloster Schönbühel, Catholic monastery in Schönbühel-Aggsbach, Austria
Kloster Schönbühel is a convent built on a rocky hilltop overlooking the Danube River in Lower Austria. The buildings combine monastic structures with decorated grottoes that extend into the mountain and contain religious artwork.
The site was founded in 1666 by Count Conrad Balthasar von Starhemberg on top of older ruins from a fortified stronghold. A religious order took over the monastery and it has remained a place of prayer ever since.
The monastery remains an active community for nuns who live and pray here today. Their daily presence shapes the place and keeps it functioning as a living spiritual center for the region.
Visitors can reach the buildings and grottoes by walking up stone steps carved directly into the rock face. Those cycling along the Danube route can stop here as part of their journey through the valley.
The walls of several rooms are covered with frescoes painted by artist Johann Bergl showing biblical scenes and religious subjects. These elaborate paintings are more than 300 years old and give the spaces a distinct historical depth.
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