Saint Paul's in Lavanttal Abbey, Benedictine monastery in Sankt Paul im Lavanttal, Austria
Saint Paul's in Lavanttal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery featuring a Romanesque basilica with twin towers that rise above the valley, alongside substantial monastic buildings dating from the 17th century. The complex arranges church, residential quarters, and administrative structures around an enclosed courtyard that has shaped religious life for nine centuries.
The monastery was founded in 1091 by Count Engelbert of Spanheim and became a leading religious and cultural center in the region. It suffered occupation during the Nazi period from 1940 to 1945 but was restored after the war and remains active today.
The monastery houses an important collection of religious artworks and objects that have drawn visitors and the faithful across many centuries.
Visitors reach the monastery by following the valley road, and the church and parts of the complex are open to enter, with guided tours available through its spaces. It is best to check ahead whether the grounds are open to individual visitors since an active Benedictine community still lives there.
Behind the high altar lies a crypt containing burials of early Habsburg family members, giving the place special historical significance. This hidden resting place connects the small valley with one of Europe's greatest dynasty histories.
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