Discover daily life at the Monte Maria Abbey: The “ora et labora” museum on the ground floor tells its story
Image gallery: “ora et labora” Monastery Museum
Since 2007, Europe's highest Benedictine abbey, Monte Maria, or Marienberg, has housed a museum. True to the Benedictine motto "pray and work", it offers insights into monastic life and displays artwork dating back to the abbey's foundation in the 12th century.
Housed in the former farm building of the monastery, the museum regularly presents special exhibitions featuring items from the abbey's collection. During its renovation between 2004 and 2008, the building remained largely in its original state, while a second, modern level was integrated. This allows visitors to readily trace the structural changes over the centuries. Films and various objects enhance the exhibition of the "ora et labora" Monastery Museum (Klostermuseum).
A special highlight lies hidden in the crypt: The cycle of frescoes dating from 1175 to 1180 is a unique monument of Romanesque art. A large portion of these well-preserved paintings was discovered in 1887 but only fully revealed in 1980. You can also visit the library, St. Stephen's Church with its late Gothic frescoes, and the viewing archive.
How to get there: On foot, the Path of St. Benedict path leads you from Burgusio to the abbey. By car, drive from Burgusio towards Slingia and Mt. Watles: The car park is located on a bend, just 100 metres from the abbey. Alternatively, the second stage of the Hours' Trail from Laudes, a four-hour hike, will also take you to the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Maria.
Contact info
- Slingia / Schlinig 1 - 39024 - Malles Venosta / Mals
- +39 0473 843989
- verwaltung@marienberg.it
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
€ 6.00 adults
€ 4.50 groups
€ 3.00 students
free for children up to 14 years (if accompanied by their parents)
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guided tours on reservation (in German/Italian language):
€ 27.00 tour (crypt, library, showcase) with museum
€ 10.50 library with museum
€ 10.50 crypt with museum
€ 10.50 St. Stephen with museum
More information
The Monastery Museum stays open every year from mid-March to the end of October and during the two weeks at the end of the year. It remains closed on Sundays and on church holidays, furthermore from early January to mid-March and from early November to the end of December.
The café is open from the 1st of May 2025 from Monday to Saturday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Guided tour to the museum every 1st Wednesday of the month at 2 pm (in Italian language) and at 3.30 pm (in German language). The museum, the shop and the church are barrier-free. The crypt, the library, St. Stephen and the exhibition depot are accessible only during a guided tour.
Summer season start 2025 on March 15, winter season start 2025/26 on December 27.
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