Stift Duernstein is the Augustinian abbey in Duernstein village in the Wachau, founded 1410, whose blue-and-white Baroque church tower from the early 18th century is one of the most photographed buildings in Austria. The abbey sits below the ruins of the castle where Richard I of England was held captive in 1192-1193. The castle ruins above the village are a 30-minute climb with Wachau valley views. Church open daily; free entry. Duernstein is on the Wachau Danube road, about 90 km from Vienna.
monastery in Duernstein
Stift Duernstein
The Augustinian abbey of Duernstein is the blue-and-white Baroque (the ornate, exuberant architectural style that followed the Renaissance, dominant in Catholic Central Europe from the 17th to early 18th century) church tower that appears in nearly every photograph taken of the Wachau, one of the most recognizable church facades in Austria.
- Type
- monastery
- Destination
- Duernstein
- Cost
- Free to visit
- Founded
- 1410
- Era
- Medieval
- Address
- Duernstein 1, 3601 Duernstein, 3601 Duernstein
- Coordinates
- 48.3953, 15.5191
- Official website
- Visit website