St. Ulrich's and St. Afra's Abbey, Augsburg

St. Ulrich's and St. Afra's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in Augsburg with a striking church featuring vaulted ceilings, tall windows, and multiple towers rising above the city. The complex combines monastic living quarters and work areas with the central sacred space, functioning as a self-contained religious community.

The abbey traces its roots to medieval Benedictine monks who established a spiritual foundation that endures to this day. During the Reformation, it remained Catholic and evolved into one of Bavaria's major monastic institutions.

This is home to a working monastic community that gathers daily for prayers and shared meals, maintaining active religious life within these walls. Visitors can observe this lived spirituality as they walk through the spaces and encounter the rhythm of communal monastic practice.

The monastery sits in central Augsburg and is easily accessible on foot, though some areas may have restrictions due to active monastic use. Allow enough time to explore the church and available spaces at a relaxed pace, especially if you wish to attend services.

The basilica houses the relics of holy martyrs, making it a pilgrimage destination known since early times that draws visitors from far and wide. This connection to saint veneration continues to shape how people relate to this place today.

Location: Augsburg

Inception: 1577

GPS coordinates: 48.36140,10.90040

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:05