St. Matthias' Abbey

Church Historic abbey near Trier housing Saint Matthias relics

Near the Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate, St Matthias’ Abbey preserves a Romanesque church and the relics associated with the apostle Matthias. Pilgrims and architecture-minded visitors tour the crypt, medieval stonework, and hilltop cemetery.

Main image

St. Matthias’ Abbey is a Roman Catholic abbey in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, noted for its association with the Apostle St. Matthias and its long medieval origins.

The complex includes an abbey church with a prominent altar area, a crypt containing the traditional tomb of St. Matthias, and historic monastic buildings. Visitors commonly view the crypt and the church interior and walk the cloistered areas of the monastery.

The site developed as a Benedictine monastic foundation with medieval roots and is documented from the early Middle Ages. The community and its buildings were changed during secularisation in the early 19th century and subsequently served both parish and heritage roles.

The abbey sits on a slope within the city of Trier, southeast of the city centre and within walking distance of other Roman-era and medieval sites in the city.

  • Relics: Contains the tomb and relics associated with the Apostle St. Matthias, which has made the site an historic pilgrimage destination.

What to See #

  • Abbey church: The abbey church that houses the principal liturgical spaces and the main altar area used for parish services.
  • Crypt and tomb: A largely enclosed stone crypt beneath the church that contains the traditional tomb of the Apostle and associated reliquary display.
  • Monastic complex: The adjoining monastic buildings and cloister complex which include cloistered courtyards and former domestic wings of the abbey.
St. Matthias' Abbey
49.7380, 6.6315

How to Get to St. Matthias' Abbey #

The abbey is accessible by regional roads in Rhineland-Palatinate. The nearest railway towns offer connections by bus or taxi to the abbey; driving is often the quickest option and parking is usually available on site.

Tips for Visiting St. Matthias' Abbey #

  • Walk the abbey grounds slowly-look for medieval marginalia carved into the cloister stones.
  • Check with local tourism offices for occasional guided tours; monastic sites sometimes open areas only for scheduled visits.
  • Combine with a drive through the surrounding Rhineland vineyards for context about the abbey's historical economic role.

Best Time to Visit St. Matthias' Abbey #

Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable conditions and best light for photography and walking the grounds.

Spring
April-June · 8-18°C (46-64°F)
Gardens come alive and walks around the abbey grounds are pleasant.
Autumn
September-October · 10-16°C (50-61°F)
Harvest time in the Rhineland gives the countryside a warm, agricultural glow.

Weather & Climate near St. Matthias' Abbey #

Climate

St. Matthias' Abbey's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (761 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 39 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-19°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
15.2h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 24°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
15.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
70%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with 75 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

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