Header Logo
Benediktinerabtei Schäftlarn KdöR
(521 Reviews)

Schäftlarn

Haus 2, 82067 Schäftlarn, Deutschland

Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn | Monastery Church & Directions

The Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn is one of the most traditional monastery locations in the Isar Valley south of Munich. Today, the place combines spiritual life, the baroque monastery church of St. Dionysius and Juliana, the Benedictine high school, a boarding school, the monastery shop, and the renowned Schäftlarn concerts into a very unique profile. The complex is not an isolated museum but a living place with everyday life, education, culture, and monastic continuity. Those interested in monastic architecture, South German baroque art, quiet excursion destinations, or special concert evenings will find an unusually dense mix of history and present here. The main orientation points are the church in the center of the monastery complex, the visitor paths around the gate and monastery shop, as well as the good accessibility via the S-Bahn and the A95. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/))

History of the Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn and its Monastery Church

The history of Schäftlarn begins according to official accounts in the year 762, when the Benedictine monastery Schäftlarn was founded and the first monastery church was consecrated. Later, in 1140, it was re-established as a Premonstratensian monastery. After that, a multifaceted building and usage history began, ranging from Gothic renovations to flood damage to baroque major projects. Particularly influential was the new construction of the monastery building from 1702 to 1707 by Giovanni Antonio Viscardi as a four-wing complex around two rectangular inner courtyards with the church as the center. The tower of the old church collapsed in 1710 and was rebuilt in 1712. In 1733, the new construction of the monastery church began according to plans by François de Cuvilliés the Elder; after a break, the project was continued in 1751 by Johann Georg Gunetzrhainer and Johann Michael Fischer and consecrated in 1760. This sequence makes the abbey a place where early monastic history, baroque representation, and later re-establishment overlap. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kunst-kultur/klosterkirche/))

The following stages also show that Schäftlarn has never been a static sight. The secularization of 1802/03 initially ended monastic life; the monastery church became a parish church. In 1866, Schäftlarn was re-established as a Benedictine monastery, and in 1910 it was elevated to an abbey. The abbey itself still emphasizes the connection between worship, prayer, and work, which is precisely the Benedictine way of life that has shaped the place for centuries. Architecturally, the complex is particularly impressive: The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation describes the monastery complex as a three-story four-wing structure around two rectangular inner courtyards and the church as the center; the facades, risalits, and the baroque church space form a cohesive ensemble. In the monastery church, artists such as Zimmermann, Straub, and Albrecht work together. Thus, Schäftlarn is not only historically significant but also an exceptional place in art history in the Alpine region. ([geodaten.bayern.de](https://geodaten.bayern.de/denkmal_static_data/externe_denkmalliste/pdf/denkmalliste_merge_184142.pdf))

Directions, S-Bahn, and Parking at the Abbey Schäftlarn

For the journey, the abbey provides clear and practical routes. By car, the route leads via the A95 Munich-Garmisch, exit Schäftlarn. The travel notes also mention the B11 and the state road 2072 when coming from Hohenschäftlarn or from the Munich or Bad Tölz direction. Those arriving by public transport can use the S-Bahn line S7 towards Wolfratshausen; the official documents mention the stations Ebenhausen and Hohenschäftlarn. This is helpful for visitors because the abbey is located in the quiet and scenic southern Munich, yet remains easily accessible. This combination of a nature-friendly location and relatively direct MVV connection makes the place attractive not only for worship visits but also for concerts, guided tours, or a spontaneous excursion. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

However, attention is important when parking. The Schäftlarn concerts explicitly point out that visitors should only use the designated parking spaces: opposite the church, at the boarding school, and at the back of the administration building opposite the sawmill. Regular checks are conducted on Klosterstraße and on the green strip towards Schäftlarner Berg; tickets issued there are not uncommon. For concert evenings, the organization also offers a shuttle service from the Hohenschäftlarn S-Bahn station, which departs for the monastery at 6:30 PM and returns after the concert. For guests, this means: arrive early, pay attention to signage, and prefer the parking areas at the church and the boarding school. This way, the visit remains relaxed, and the historical site is not burdened by parked roads. ([schaeftlarner-konzerte.de](https://www.schaeftlarner-konzerte.de/kontakt))

Worship Services, Gate, and Monastic Everyday Life in Schäftlarn

The current self-understanding of the abbey is very clearly articulated on the website: The Benedictines live according to the Rule of St. Benedict and see themselves connected to a 1500-year tradition in which worship, prayer, and work determine the daily rhythm. For visitors, the gate is particularly relevant. It is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM; it remains closed on Sundays and public holidays. Confession opportunities and personal conversations are possible by appointment. These opening hours make the abbey accessible, while also making it feel like a monastic living space and not just a purely tourist operation. This is precisely what gives the place its special character: it is open to guests but remains clearly shaped by a spiritual everyday life. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kloster-orden/))

The daily rhythm of the boarding school and the abbey additionally shows how structured life is in Schäftlarn. The published schedules include Lauds, Mass, midday prayer, Vespers, Vigil, and Compline as fixed reference points of a day that connects work, community, and prayer. The boarding school is also oriented towards such a rhythm: it begins early with waking up and morning study, continues with classes, a communal meal, and evening study, and ends with orderly bedtime. This is relevant for SEO and visitor inquiries because many users specifically search for opening hours, worship services, or monastic everyday life. Therefore, Schäftlarn stands not only for an impressive church but also for a lived rule that can be perceived in the atmosphere of the entire site. Those who visit the abbey do not experience just a photo point but a place with genuine, ongoing religious and educational functions. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/gymnasium-internat/internat/))

Schäftlarn Concerts, Church, and Cultural Events

A significant part of the external perception of Schäftlarn is the Schäftlarn concerts. The abbey's website describes their origin very specifically: On March 24, 1968, young orchestral musicians and music students met in the old gymnasium of the high school, and in July and September of the same year, the first concerts followed in the monastery church. This developed into a series that established itself in 1972 in the Olympic cultural program in the series Music in Bavaria's Castles and Churches and has since been regarded as an established concert tradition. According to the abbey, these concerts have been taking place for more than 50 years and regularly bring renowned soloists and the orchestra of the Schäftlarn concerts to Schäftlarn. The close interaction between the spiritual space, the baroque setting, and the music is one of the great strengths of the place. Those looking for programs, tickets, or a special cultural venue in southern Munich will find an offering with an established reputation here. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kunst-kultur/schaeftlarner-konzerte/))

Cultural use also includes church tours, which are possible through the Schönes Schäftlarn e.V. association, as well as seasonal formats like the Advent market on the second Advent weekend in the Prälatenstadl. This connection between sacred architecture, concert series, and regional events makes Schäftlarn interesting for visitors looking for more than just a sight. The location also plays a role: according to official travel information, the monastery is embedded in a picturesque landscape in the Isar Valley, and the baroque monastery church is described as an outstanding building of its time. Combined with the good access, controlled parking areas, and the free shuttle on concert evenings, a visitor offering emerges that is both practical and atmospheric. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

Monastery Shop, High School, Boarding School, and Excursion Destinations in the Isar Valley

The monastery shop is the most visible entry point into the everyday life of the abbey for many guests. According to the website, the tenants offer a wide range of high-quality products, including in-house products from the Abbey of Schäftlarn, books in the field of Christian spirituality, gift ideas, food, personal care products, as well as fine wines, spirits, and beers. The opening hours are clearly regulated: Wednesday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; in the months of January to the end of March, the shop remains closed on Sundays. Thus, the monastery shop is not just a souvenir point but part of the economic and cultural identity of the place. For visitors, it is a good place to experience the abbey beyond the church space and to get to know a piece of the monastic product range. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wirtschaft-betriebe/klosterladen/))

Equally influential is the Benedictine high school Schäftlarn. The school is state-recognized and is run by the Benedictine Abbey; it offers a linguistic and a humanistic high school. The boarding school is a boys' boarding school with a clearly structured weekly rhythm from Sunday evening or Monday morning to Friday afternoon, with learning support, fixed meals, single rooms, and a location in the S-Bahn area of Munich. The website also emphasizes the idyllic landscape near the Isar, the close cooperation with the parents, and the possibility of trial living. For the region, this connection of monastery, education, and care is central because it explains why Schäftlarn is perceived not only as an excursion destination but also as a vibrant location. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/gymnasium-internat/ausbildungsrichtungen/))

Those who wish to extend their visit will find further worthwhile points in the immediate vicinity. The travel notes mention the freely accessible Prälatengarten as a lovingly maintained baroque garden south of the monastery and the nature-culture-technology educational trail along the Isar, which invites playful exploration of the renatured river landscape. These notes are complemented by gastronomy in the immediate vicinity, including the Klosterbräustüberl opposite the monastery and the Gasthaus Bruckenfischer a little east along the Isar. This creates an excursion destination that combines architecture, monastic history, landscape, and dining options. This very complexity explains why Schäftlarn is so frequently searched for photos, reviews, and research: the place not only provides a strong backdrop but also real content. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

Sources:

Show more

Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn | Monastery Church & Directions

The Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn is one of the most traditional monastery locations in the Isar Valley south of Munich. Today, the place combines spiritual life, the baroque monastery church of St. Dionysius and Juliana, the Benedictine high school, a boarding school, the monastery shop, and the renowned Schäftlarn concerts into a very unique profile. The complex is not an isolated museum but a living place with everyday life, education, culture, and monastic continuity. Those interested in monastic architecture, South German baroque art, quiet excursion destinations, or special concert evenings will find an unusually dense mix of history and present here. The main orientation points are the church in the center of the monastery complex, the visitor paths around the gate and monastery shop, as well as the good accessibility via the S-Bahn and the A95. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/))

History of the Benedictine Abbey Schäftlarn and its Monastery Church

The history of Schäftlarn begins according to official accounts in the year 762, when the Benedictine monastery Schäftlarn was founded and the first monastery church was consecrated. Later, in 1140, it was re-established as a Premonstratensian monastery. After that, a multifaceted building and usage history began, ranging from Gothic renovations to flood damage to baroque major projects. Particularly influential was the new construction of the monastery building from 1702 to 1707 by Giovanni Antonio Viscardi as a four-wing complex around two rectangular inner courtyards with the church as the center. The tower of the old church collapsed in 1710 and was rebuilt in 1712. In 1733, the new construction of the monastery church began according to plans by François de Cuvilliés the Elder; after a break, the project was continued in 1751 by Johann Georg Gunetzrhainer and Johann Michael Fischer and consecrated in 1760. This sequence makes the abbey a place where early monastic history, baroque representation, and later re-establishment overlap. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kunst-kultur/klosterkirche/))

The following stages also show that Schäftlarn has never been a static sight. The secularization of 1802/03 initially ended monastic life; the monastery church became a parish church. In 1866, Schäftlarn was re-established as a Benedictine monastery, and in 1910 it was elevated to an abbey. The abbey itself still emphasizes the connection between worship, prayer, and work, which is precisely the Benedictine way of life that has shaped the place for centuries. Architecturally, the complex is particularly impressive: The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation describes the monastery complex as a three-story four-wing structure around two rectangular inner courtyards and the church as the center; the facades, risalits, and the baroque church space form a cohesive ensemble. In the monastery church, artists such as Zimmermann, Straub, and Albrecht work together. Thus, Schäftlarn is not only historically significant but also an exceptional place in art history in the Alpine region. ([geodaten.bayern.de](https://geodaten.bayern.de/denkmal_static_data/externe_denkmalliste/pdf/denkmalliste_merge_184142.pdf))

Directions, S-Bahn, and Parking at the Abbey Schäftlarn

For the journey, the abbey provides clear and practical routes. By car, the route leads via the A95 Munich-Garmisch, exit Schäftlarn. The travel notes also mention the B11 and the state road 2072 when coming from Hohenschäftlarn or from the Munich or Bad Tölz direction. Those arriving by public transport can use the S-Bahn line S7 towards Wolfratshausen; the official documents mention the stations Ebenhausen and Hohenschäftlarn. This is helpful for visitors because the abbey is located in the quiet and scenic southern Munich, yet remains easily accessible. This combination of a nature-friendly location and relatively direct MVV connection makes the place attractive not only for worship visits but also for concerts, guided tours, or a spontaneous excursion. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

However, attention is important when parking. The Schäftlarn concerts explicitly point out that visitors should only use the designated parking spaces: opposite the church, at the boarding school, and at the back of the administration building opposite the sawmill. Regular checks are conducted on Klosterstraße and on the green strip towards Schäftlarner Berg; tickets issued there are not uncommon. For concert evenings, the organization also offers a shuttle service from the Hohenschäftlarn S-Bahn station, which departs for the monastery at 6:30 PM and returns after the concert. For guests, this means: arrive early, pay attention to signage, and prefer the parking areas at the church and the boarding school. This way, the visit remains relaxed, and the historical site is not burdened by parked roads. ([schaeftlarner-konzerte.de](https://www.schaeftlarner-konzerte.de/kontakt))

Worship Services, Gate, and Monastic Everyday Life in Schäftlarn

The current self-understanding of the abbey is very clearly articulated on the website: The Benedictines live according to the Rule of St. Benedict and see themselves connected to a 1500-year tradition in which worship, prayer, and work determine the daily rhythm. For visitors, the gate is particularly relevant. It is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM; it remains closed on Sundays and public holidays. Confession opportunities and personal conversations are possible by appointment. These opening hours make the abbey accessible, while also making it feel like a monastic living space and not just a purely tourist operation. This is precisely what gives the place its special character: it is open to guests but remains clearly shaped by a spiritual everyday life. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kloster-orden/))

The daily rhythm of the boarding school and the abbey additionally shows how structured life is in Schäftlarn. The published schedules include Lauds, Mass, midday prayer, Vespers, Vigil, and Compline as fixed reference points of a day that connects work, community, and prayer. The boarding school is also oriented towards such a rhythm: it begins early with waking up and morning study, continues with classes, a communal meal, and evening study, and ends with orderly bedtime. This is relevant for SEO and visitor inquiries because many users specifically search for opening hours, worship services, or monastic everyday life. Therefore, Schäftlarn stands not only for an impressive church but also for a lived rule that can be perceived in the atmosphere of the entire site. Those who visit the abbey do not experience just a photo point but a place with genuine, ongoing religious and educational functions. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/gymnasium-internat/internat/))

Schäftlarn Concerts, Church, and Cultural Events

A significant part of the external perception of Schäftlarn is the Schäftlarn concerts. The abbey's website describes their origin very specifically: On March 24, 1968, young orchestral musicians and music students met in the old gymnasium of the high school, and in July and September of the same year, the first concerts followed in the monastery church. This developed into a series that established itself in 1972 in the Olympic cultural program in the series Music in Bavaria's Castles and Churches and has since been regarded as an established concert tradition. According to the abbey, these concerts have been taking place for more than 50 years and regularly bring renowned soloists and the orchestra of the Schäftlarn concerts to Schäftlarn. The close interaction between the spiritual space, the baroque setting, and the music is one of the great strengths of the place. Those looking for programs, tickets, or a special cultural venue in southern Munich will find an offering with an established reputation here. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/kunst-kultur/schaeftlarner-konzerte/))

Cultural use also includes church tours, which are possible through the Schönes Schäftlarn e.V. association, as well as seasonal formats like the Advent market on the second Advent weekend in the Prälatenstadl. This connection between sacred architecture, concert series, and regional events makes Schäftlarn interesting for visitors looking for more than just a sight. The location also plays a role: according to official travel information, the monastery is embedded in a picturesque landscape in the Isar Valley, and the baroque monastery church is described as an outstanding building of its time. Combined with the good access, controlled parking areas, and the free shuttle on concert evenings, a visitor offering emerges that is both practical and atmospheric. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

Monastery Shop, High School, Boarding School, and Excursion Destinations in the Isar Valley

The monastery shop is the most visible entry point into the everyday life of the abbey for many guests. According to the website, the tenants offer a wide range of high-quality products, including in-house products from the Abbey of Schäftlarn, books in the field of Christian spirituality, gift ideas, food, personal care products, as well as fine wines, spirits, and beers. The opening hours are clearly regulated: Wednesday to Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; in the months of January to the end of March, the shop remains closed on Sundays. Thus, the monastery shop is not just a souvenir point but part of the economic and cultural identity of the place. For visitors, it is a good place to experience the abbey beyond the church space and to get to know a piece of the monastic product range. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wirtschaft-betriebe/klosterladen/))

Equally influential is the Benedictine high school Schäftlarn. The school is state-recognized and is run by the Benedictine Abbey; it offers a linguistic and a humanistic high school. The boarding school is a boys' boarding school with a clearly structured weekly rhythm from Sunday evening or Monday morning to Friday afternoon, with learning support, fixed meals, single rooms, and a location in the S-Bahn area of Munich. The website also emphasizes the idyllic landscape near the Isar, the close cooperation with the parents, and the possibility of trial living. For the region, this connection of monastery, education, and care is central because it explains why Schäftlarn is perceived not only as an excursion destination but also as a vibrant location. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/gymnasium-internat/ausbildungsrichtungen/))

Those who wish to extend their visit will find further worthwhile points in the immediate vicinity. The travel notes mention the freely accessible Prälatengarten as a lovingly maintained baroque garden south of the monastery and the nature-culture-technology educational trail along the Isar, which invites playful exploration of the renatured river landscape. These notes are complemented by gastronomy in the immediate vicinity, including the Klosterbräustüberl opposite the monastery and the Gasthaus Bruckenfischer a little east along the Isar. This creates an excursion destination that combines architecture, monastic history, landscape, and dining options. This very complexity explains why Schäftlarn is so frequently searched for photos, reviews, and research: the place not only provides a strong backdrop but also real content. ([abtei-schaeftlarn.de](https://www.abtei-schaeftlarn.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/REISEHINWEISE.pdf))

Sources:

Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

No reviews found