Altenburg Abbey

About

Overseen by Baroque master-builder Joseph Munggenast assisted by some of Austria's most distinguished artists, particularly Paul Troger, the abbey is justly dubbed 'the baroque jewel of the Waldviertel.' Troger's vividly coloured, sprawling frescoes are particularly impressive on the ceiling of the hugely imposing library hall. Much of the original medieval monastery has been excavated underground and offers a fascinating contrast with its sumptuous descendent. There's an impressive scriptorium – where the monks did their copying of the Bible and other religious texts - cloister and chapterhouse. The extensive monastery grounds are also ripe with interest. There's the Apothecary's Garden which is a kind of living botanical museum of herbs used for medicinal purposes centuries ago. The Garden of Tranquillity is a naturally landscaped garden consisting of an orchard, vineyard, a butterfly preserve, insect hives and hobby garden. Religion isn't neglected either, with the Garden of Religions dedicated to the major world faiths.