Klosterneuburg Abbey
Stift Klosterneuburg (Klosterneuburg Abbey), Stiftsplatz 1 (tel. 02243/4110), is the most significant abbey in Austria. It was founded in 1114 by the Babenberg margrave Leopold III and was once the residence of the famous Hapsburg emperor Charles VI.
The abbey is visited not only for its history, but also for its art treasures. The most valuable piece is the world-famous enamel altar of Nikolaus of Verdun, created in 1181. The monastery also boasts the largest private library in Austria, with more than 1,250 handwritten books and many antique paintings. Guided tours of the monastery are given daily year-round. On the tour, you visit the Cathedral of the Monastery (unless Masses are underway), the cloister, St. Leopold's Chapel (with the Verdun altar), the former well house, and the residential apartments of the emperors.
The monastery itself remains open year-round, but the museum of the monastery is closed from mid-November to April. The museum can be visited without a guide from May to mid-November Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm for 5€ ($6.50). Visits to the monastery itself, however, require participation in a guided tour. These are available at hourly intervals year-round daily from 9am to noon and 1:30 to 4:30pm. Except for a specially designated English-language tour conducted every Sunday at 2pm, most tours are conducted in German, with occasional snippets of English if the guide is able. The price is 5.50€ ($7.15) for adults and 3.20€ ($4.15) for children. Additional English-language tours can be arranged in advance. You can purchase a cost-effective combination ticket to the monastery and museum for 7€ ($9.10) for adults and 4€ ($5.20) for children under 12.
