Located near Vienna, this Austrian town centers around a medieval abbey from 1114, with its Imperial Treasury and a historic brewery operating since 1292.
Klosterneuburg lies north of Vienna along the Danube River. Its 12th-century Augustinian monastery dominates the skyline with twin copper domes and contains the medieval Verdun Altar, a masterpiece of gilded copper plates. Walk through the monastery's four-level wine cellars or explore the marked hiking paths connecting to the Vienna Woods. The town is also home to cutting-edge research at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and contemporary art at the Gugging Museum.
Exploring Klosterneuburg Abbey
Twin copper domes topped with an imperial crown mark this baroque monastery complex in the town center. Step inside to see the 12th-century Verdun Altar with its 45 gilded copper plates showing Byzantine-influenced biblical scenes. The treasury houses the Austrian archducal hat and a seven-armed candelabra from the 1100s. The abbey church, designated as Basilica minor in 1936, retains its Romanesque foundations beneath 17th-century baroque additions.
Wine Tradition and Tasting
The monastery manages 108 hectares of vineyards across Klosterneuburg, Vienna, and the Thermenregion, making it Austria's oldest and largest private winery. Descend 36 meters into the four-level baroque wine cellar where winemakers combine computer-controlled fermentation with hand-selection of grapes. The estate runs several environmental programs, including using chickens to control pests naturally and operating biofuel-powered equipment.
Gardens and Natural Areas
Walk through three distinct monastery gardens, each with its own character. The baroque garden follows precise geometric patterns with symmetrical flowerbeds and hedges. An English landscape garden contains winding paths leading to a Chinese pagoda. In the medieval cloister garden, four sections symbolize the paradise rivers of Eden, with plants selected for their biblical connections.
Getting Around and Practical Information
Reach Klosterneuburg by S40 train from Vienna's Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof or take buses 400 and 402 from Heiligenstadt station. The monastery opens daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with guided tours every hour. Tours last 60 minutes and include the abbey church, cloister, and Verdun Altar. Visit the wine shop Monday through Saturday to taste wines in the historic cellar. The visitor center provides audio guides in 14 languages for independent exploration.
