Kloster Maria im Paradies, Carthusian monastery in St. Veit im Pongau, Austria.
Kloster Maria im Paradies is a Carthusian monastery in St. Veit im Pongau composed of two building complexes: the Lower House containing public areas and the Upper House with a wooden church and individual hermitage cells. The entire complex sits at approximately 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) elevation in a forested mountain setting.
The monastery was established in 1985 by the Order of Moniales of Bethlehem, converting a former tuberculosis sanatorium that had previously belonged to the Salzburg Archdiocese. This transformation of a medical facility into a spiritual center gave the location a new purpose.
The name references the biblical garden of paradise, reflecting the spiritual aspirations of the community. Visitors can enter the chapel and observe the rhythm of daily monastic life practiced here.
The monastery is accessible to pilgrims who wish to participate in daily worship and liturgical services held in the Lower House. The Upper House remains strictly enclosed and is generally not open to visitors.
The church interior blends western and eastern liturgical artistic traditions, creating an unusual fusion design rarely seen in Austrian monasteries. This artistic mixture reflects the international roots and open spiritual perspective of the community.
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