Schlierbach Abbey

The earliest mention of the locality Schlierbach dates back to 927. A former castle on this site came into the possession of Eberhard V von Wallsee in 1353, who founded a Cistercian nunnery there in 1355. This monastery, also known as Mariensaal, was led by Prioress Elisabeth von Gundelfingen with twelve sisters and expanded its possessions through donations and purchases, including Steyrstein Castle. After about 200 years and 18 abbesses, the convent dissolved due to the spread of Protestantism. In the course of the Counter-Reformation, the monastery was re-established in 1620 under Emperor Ferdinand II with Cistercian monks from Rein Abbey. Under Abbot Wolfgang Sommer, the reconstruction of pastoral care began. Abbot Franz Keller gained a seat and vote in the provincial estates, and Abbot Balthasar Rauch was granted episcopal insignia in 1654. Under Abbot Nivard I Geyregger, a comprehensive new construction of the severely dilapidated complex began in 1674. The abbey church was built from 1680 to 1683 under Abbot Benedikt Rieger. In the 18th century, the abbey experienced an economic boom under Abbot Christian Stadler with the establishment of a mill, sawmill, and bakery. After a period of decline due to the Josephine era and the Napoleonic Wars, as well as a fire in 1825, the situation only improved towards the end of the 19th century. Abbot Alois Wiesinger (1917–1955) modernized the workshops in the post-war years and established an abbey cheese dairy as an important economic factor. He also reintroduced the institute of lay brothers from 1923 and founded an agricultural school.

Stift Schlierbach is located in the municipality of Schlierbach in Upper Austria, near Kirchdorf an der Krems, at an elevation of approximately 495 meters above sea level.

Stift Schlierbach continues to exist today as a Cistercian abbey and is an active monastery with various economic and social facilities, including an abbey cheese dairy and an agricultural school.

• Schloss Dorff (castle, approx. 709 m away)
• Schloss Neupernstein (castle, approx. 3687 m away)
• Burg Alt-Pernstein (castle, approx. 6102 m away)
• Burgruine Seisenburg (castle ruin, approx. 6867 m away)