Lambach Benedictine Abbey

A staircase from the Lambach Benedictine Abbey church leads to the "Läuthaus" (Ringing Chamber) where, between 1860-70, some 11th C. frescos were discovered which are among the earliest Romanesque wall paintings in Austria; the colors are unusually well preserved and the faces of the people represented very impressive. The themes covered include the story of the Three Kings and the appearance of God on Earth.

The abbey buildings are grouped around three courtyards, and entrance is through a gate tower with a magnificent Baroque portal in marble (1693), leading into the first courtyard.

Passsing through the Lambach Benedictine Abbey cloister brings us to the church (1652-56), a hall building with flat chapel niches. The figure niches contain statues of the Twelve Apostles, John the Baptist, Mary and Christ. The vaulted ceiling is decorated with stucco and frescos, and the high altar is ascribed to J. B. Fischer von Erlach; its raised columns and Trinity group make it very impressive. The picture above the high altar of The Assumption is by Joachim von Sandrat (1652-55). The sacristy chapel contains a Late Gothic Madonna (c. 1470).

The Refectory and Library, extending over two floors of the Lambach Benedictine Abbey, are sumptuously decorated with stucco-work, frescos and ceiling paintings. The Picture Gallery contains works by Kremser Schmidt, Altomonte and Maulpertsch.

From the Lambach Benedictine Abbey's first courtyard a staircase leads up to the Baroque Theater (1746-70), Austria's only surviving monastic theater; its opening performance was in front of Queen Marie Antoinette.

The Lambach Benedictine Abbey sacristy leads into the Treasury. Here are kept such treasures as the Romanesque Adalbero Chalice (partly 17th C. reproduction), an abbot's staff and valuable pulpit coverings.