The Schottenstift – an abbey in the midst of the city
The Schottenstift (Abbey of the Scots) can trace its origins all the way back to 1155, when Duke Heinrich II of Austria, nicknamed Jasomirgott, brought Iro-Scottish monks from the Scots Monastery of St. James in Regensburg to Vienna. The monks left Vienna in 1418, but the name “Schotten” (meaning “the Scots”) stuck, even though the monastery had become German-speaking. Learn more here about the history of the Schottenstift.
The Schottenstift Museum (Verlinkung Startseite) (which can be accessed via the monastery shop at Freyung 6, next to the Schottenkirche) houses the wonderful Schotten Altarpiece panels, an important example of late Gothic panel painting displaying the oldest topographically correct view of Vienna. They were crafted by the unknown “Master of the Schotten Altarpiece”. Information about museum tours is available here.
Our guests are warmly invited to attend our devine services and the Liturgy of the Hours at the Schottenkirche. We also have our own chapel at the Benediktushaus, which is open to guests.
The Romanesque chapel found by the entrance to the Benediktushaus is the oldest preserved part of the church, and a serene sacred space exuding an atmosphere of meditation and reflection. It is open for visits from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5.30 pm. On Saturdays, it can be visited from 2.30 pm as part of the Schottenstift tour.
If you’d like to find out more about the Schottenstift, please click here.