Kloster Au am Inn, Benedictine abbey in Gars, Germany
Kloster Au am Inn is a Benedictine abbey in Gars featuring a Baroque church with two Rococo side chapels and period furnishings. The complex is arranged around a central courtyard with monastic buildings and serves as both a religious community and a support center for children and youth with disabilities.
The monastery was founded in 1122 by Salzburg Archbishop Konrad I as an Augustinian community and served as a religious center in the region for centuries. It underwent significant transformation in 1854 when it became a Franciscan convent with new spiritual responsibilities.
The church holds a significant reliquary dedicated to Saint Vitalis that plays an important role in religious ceremonies throughout the year. Visitors can see how such sacred objects remain central to the spiritual life of those who gather here.
The monastery is situated peacefully along the Inn river valley and is accessible by car or on foot with parking available nearby. Visitors should note that parts of the complex are still actively used by the religious community, and access to certain areas may be limited.
Each October the monastery courtyard transforms into a large market where potters and weavers from across the region display their work. This gathering temporarily animates the quiet grounds and reveals how traditional crafts remain woven into local life.
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