Einsiedeln Abbey Temple

Address: Einsiedeln Abbey (Kloster Einsiedeln), Klosterplatz 5, 8840 Einsiedeln, Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland

Website: https://www.kloster-einsiedeln.ch

Admission: Basilica entry free; museum and guided tours may charge a fee

Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Einsiedeln in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, and a long-established pilgrimage site. The abbey complex is prominent for its Baroque architecture and monastic community.

The abbey church contains a venerated image of the Virgin, commonly referred to as the Black Madonna, and draws pilgrims and visitors for religious services and visits. The complex includes monastic buildings, cloisters and a library used by the Benedictine community.

The monastic establishment dates back to the early medieval period and developed over centuries into the present abbey; the current Baroque church and many visible elements date from major rebuilding in the early 18th century. The abbey has continuously functioned as a Benedictine house and pilgrimage centre.

Einsiedeln Abbey sits in the municipality of Einsiedeln in central Switzerland, roughly within an hour’s drive south of the Zürich metropolitan area, surrounded by rolling hills and lake-country scenery.

• Pilgrimage site: A major pilgrimage destination, the abbey attracts pilgrims for the statue of the Virgin often called the Black Madonna and for liturgical celebrations.

What to See#

• Abbey Church: The Abbey Church is a large Baroque church known for its ornate interior, frescoes and as the site of the shrine housing a venerated Black Madonna statue.
• Monastery complex: The monastic complex includes cloisters, a library and facilities of the Benedictine community that occupies the site and runs the pilgrimage services.

Einsiedeln Abbey sits in the town of Einsiedeln about 40-45 km south of Zürich (roughly a 40-50 minute drive depending on traffic). By car follow the A3/A53 toward Pfäffikon and then the cantonal roads up to Einsiedeln; there is public parking in town.

By public transport you can reach Einsiedeln by regional rail from the Zürich area with a connection at Wädenswil/Pfäffikon onto the branch line for Einsiedeln; Einsiedeln railway station is within a 10-15 minute walk of the abbey and town center.

• Visit early on a weekday (shortly after opening) to see the abbey church and shrine before coach groups arrive; the forecourt (Klosterplatz) fills quickly around midday and during major services.
• Approach from Einsiedeln town centre so you enter via the monastery forecourt and have immediate access to the church entrance and visitor information-this is the most direct route for tourists.
• Don't miss the abbey's treasury and library rooms, which are separate from the main church and often have more limited opening hours-check the abbey website in advance and allow extra time to join a guided visit if available.