The Abbey is the starting point of the 'Matthias Way', a long-distance pilgrimage route connecting to the Way of St. James.
The monastery complex has been on its current site since the 4th century, originally established as a Roman cemetery.
The Romanesque portal of the basilica is considered one of the most significant examples of its style in the Rhine-Mosel region.
It is the only monastery in Germany that has been continuously inhabited by Benedictine monks for over 1,500 years.
The abbey houses a library with rare manuscripts dating back to the medieval period.
The church was officially designated a Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
St. Matthias' Abbey in Trier is the only Benedictine monastery north of the Alps that holds the grave of an apostle. The site serves as the final resting place of St. Matthias, the only apostle buried on German soil. The current Romanesque basilica, constructed in the 12th century, replaced earlier Carolingian and Ottonian structures. It features a crypt that houses the apostle's sarcophagus, a site of continuous pilgrimage for centuries. The abbey complex includes a cloister, a scriptorium, and extensive vineyards known for their historical significance in the Mosel wine region. It remains an active religious site managed by the Benedictine monks of the Congregation of Saint Ottilien.
The central courtyard of the cloister provides the most symmetrical and evocative view of the monastic architecture.
Explore the abbey's shop to purchase monastic products including wine and honey produced by the monks.
Allow extra time to walk through the adjacent vineyards for a panoramic view of the monastery grounds.
Check the notice board in the vestibule for information regarding guided tours or special liturgical services.
Do not treat the basilica as a standard tourist attraction; remember it is a functioning religious space used for prayer.
The basilica is occasionally closed to visitors during private religious retreats or specific liturgical ceremonies.
Maintain silence inside the basilica, remove hats, and dress modestly covering shoulders and knees.
