Gallery The Amazing Monasteries and Abbeys of Europe

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Abbey of St. Gall, Switzerland

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Klosterneuburg Monastery, Austria

Klosterneuburg Monastery located in the northeastern region of Austria has been the area’s religious center since it was founded in 1114. The outside of the monastery is recognized by its castle towers while the inside is full of intricate designs and features a copper altar known as Verdun Altar.

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Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte, Camogli, Italy

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Pannonhalma abbey, Western Transdanubia, Hungary

Pannonhalma Archabbey resides in the countryside of Hungary and dates back to around 1000 AD. Over the years, Pannonhalma Archabbey has grown to be an expansive religious center and is the second-largest territorial abbey in the world.

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Orval Abbey, Wallonia, Belgium

Located in Belgium’s Luxembourg’s tranquil rural scenery, the walls of Orval Abbey have been around for hundreds of years. Today, parts of the abbey act as a unique home for a local Belgian brewery.

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Abbey of St. Mary of Vezzolano, Italy

Vezzolano Abbey is one of Europe’s oldest religious sites and is a spiritual wonder in northern Italy. It’s no longer the religious center of the area, but it remains a popular tourist destination. It’s a small, quaint abbey that has been remarkably preserved through the years.

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The Alcobaça Monastery, Portugal

The Alcobaça Monastery in Portugal is a true architectural spectacle. Every inch of the monastery’s interior is covered with intricate art details and extravagant touches. During the Middle Ages, AlcobaçaMonastery was perhaps the most important place in Portugal.

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Sumela Monastery, Turkey

The Sumela Monastery of Turkey rests astonishingly on the edge of a steep cliff. At 3,900 ft. in elevation, the monastery offers some of the best views in Turkey. And inside, the entire property feels like it has become a part of the mountainside.

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Monastery Ostrog, Montenegro

Much like the monastery in Turkey, the Ostrog Monastery is carved into the side of a cliff. Views from the monastery stretch for miles across the Bjelopavlići plain. Even getting to the Ostrog Monastery is an adventure in itself, along the winding countryside roads.

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Admont Monastery, Austria

Admont Monastery rests along the calm waters of the Enns River in Austria and is famous for its Baroque architecture. Inside, the Admont Abbey library is one of the best features, thanks to the artistic murals and stunning details.

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Voroneț Monastery, Suceava, Romania

Nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the East, Romania’s prized monastery is more formally known as Voronet Monastery. Every inch of the building’s façade is covered with a beautiful and religious mural that is full of stories. Today, the monastery is one of Romania’s most popular tourist destinations.

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Meteora Monastery, Greece

Greece has long been a haven for religious centers. One of the most important monasteries in all of Greece is The Metéora in Thessaly. Its name fittingly translates to “in the heavens above.” The building sits atop a mound of rock and provides unparalleled views of Thessaly.

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Mont Saint-Michel, France

Part fortified castle and part religious commune, Le Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy is one of Europe’s most unique abbeys. It rests on its own island off the shores of Normandy and is still an active religious site in France.

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Glastonbury Abbey, United Kingdom

Due to years of natural damage, much of the Glastonbury Abbey in England is in ruins today. But that doesn’t keep thousands of visitors from flocking to the religious grounds every year. Along with being a fascinating site, the abbey is often associated with the ancient tales of King Arthur.