⛪ Einsiedeln Abbey
Switzerland
About This Sacred Site
Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the Canton of Schwyz and Switzerland's most important pilgrimage destination. Founded in 934, the present magnificent Baroque complex was built between 1704 and 1735. Pilgrims come to venerate the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln, a 15th-century wooden statue of the Virgin Mary housed in the Chapel of Grace (Gnadenkapelle) inside the church. The abbey is also known for its choir school and the traditional Great Angel Consecration liturgy.
Key Facts
- •Founded in 934 and has been a pilgrimage site for over 1,000 years
- •The Black Madonna is a 15th-century wooden statue dressed in elaborate vestments
- •The present Baroque church and monastery were built between 1704 and 1735
- •It is an important stop on the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) route through Switzerland
- •The abbey's Klosterschule is one of the oldest schools in Switzerland
Location
Coordinates: 47.1272, 8.7529
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