Pfarrkirche Altmünster, Parish church in Altmünster, Austria.

Pfarrkirche Altmünster is the parish church of Altmünster in Upper Austria, dedicated to Saint Benedict. Its massive Romanesque west tower, 45 metres high, carries an octagonal upper storey with a pyramidal helm and four round-arched sound windows. The late-Gothic hall church of around 1470 has three naves and four bays under a deep net-ribbed vault, joined to a steeply raised Baroque choir of about 1625 with a 3/8 close.

The site originated between 748 and 777 as a Benedictine monastery, with the current Romanesque tower constructed around 1150. This long span of time links the monastery's early foundations to the church's later development.

The Baroque high altar holds a painting of the Death of Saint Benedict dated 1636, flanked by statues of Saint George and Saint Florian and two kneeling angels by Michael Zürn the Younger, around 1690. In the confessional chapel the Salzkammergut nativity scene carved by Johann Georg Schwanthaler in the last third of the 18th century is shown from Christmas Eve to Candlemas.

The church is accessible to individual visitors and groups throughout the seasons and sits near Lake Traun. Check opening hours in advance, especially if you plan to visit with a larger group.

A Roman tombstone from around 200 AD is set into the masonry beside the sacristy entrance in the presbytery, not in the presbytery walls generally. Look for it at eye level next to the door.