Heilingenkreuz: Home to a Cistercian Abbey
Abbey Heiligenkreuz (Abbey of the Holy Cross; tel. 02258/8703) is one of the oldest Cistercian abbeys in Austria, dating from 1133. The church, founded by Leopold III, was built in the 12th century, but there has been an overlay of Gothic and baroque in subsequent centuries, with some 13th- and 14th-century stained glass still in place. Turks once ravaged the abbey, and much of the complex was reconstructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the Romanesque and Gothic cloisters date from 1240. Some of the dukes of Babenberg are buried in the 1240 chapter house, including Duke Friedrich II, the last of his line, who died in 1246. Heiligenkreuz has more relics of the Holy Cross than any other site in Europe except Rome.
Today a community of 50 Cistercian monks lives here. In summer, at noon and 6pm daily, visitors can attend their solemn choir prayers. Tours are conducted daily at 10 and 11am, 2 and 3pm, and Easter to September also at 4pm. Visiting hours are daily 9 to 11:30am and 1:30 to 5pm (until 4pm Nov to Feb). Admission is 6.20€ ($8.05) for adults and 3€ ($3.90) for children.
Getting There -- The abbey is about 16km (10 miles) north of Baden and 24km (15 miles) west of Vienna. If you're driving from Vienna, head west on the Autobahn A21, following the signs to Salzburg and Linz; then exit at the signs pointing to Heiligenkreuz. From Südtirolerplatz, you can also take bus no. 1123 or 1127 marked ALLAND (trip time: 90 min); from Baden, hop on bus no. 1140 or 1141.
Visitor Information -- More information is available at the Rathaus (Town Hall; tel. 02258/8720; www.heiligenkreuz.at), open Monday to Friday 8am to noon and 2 to 5pm.
