The 'Black Madonna' is a 15th-century late-Gothic statue whose dark color is attributed to the long-term exposure to candle soot.
The abbey has produced its own wine from vineyards located in the Lavaux region since the Middle Ages.
The monastery complex incorporates an 18th-century horse stable, which is one of the oldest in Europe still in use today.
The abbey library holds the 'Codex Einsiedlensis,' a unique 10th-century collection of descriptions of Rome.
The abbey church contains the tomb of Saint Meinrad, the hermit whose martyrdom in the 9th century led to the site's founding.
Kloster Einsiedeln is an active Benedictine abbey and the most important Catholic pilgrimage site in Switzerland. It is best known for its Black Madonna, housed in the ornate Chapel of Grace, and its long-standing tradition of liturgical music. The monastery complex features a prominent Baroque-style basilica designed by Caspar Moosbrugger and completed in 1735. The abbey library contains over 1,200 manuscripts and 250,000 volumes, including significant medieval codices. It remains a functioning monastic community where monks continue to observe the Rule of Saint Benedict. The interior is characterized by expansive ceiling frescoes by the Asam brothers. It serves as a major station on the Way of St. James, the network of pilgrimage paths leading to Santiago de Compostela. The abbey is situated in the canton of Schwyz at an altitude of approximately 880 meters.
From the center of the Klosterplatz looking toward the main twin-towered facade of the basilica.
Attend a midday or evening prayer service to experience the monks' Gregorian chant in the basilica.
Visit the abbey library to view rare, historically significant manuscripts and historical globes.
Walk the perimeter of the Klosterplatz to view the 'Fountain of Our Lady' with its 14 golden spouts.
Do not attempt to photograph the Black Madonna inside the Chapel of Grace, as it is strictly prohibited.
The abbey library is only accessible via guided tours, which are typically limited in frequency.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required; silence is mandatory within the basilica and library.
