Heiligenkreuz is a small village in the district of Baden in Lower Austria and is best known for its historic Cistercian Abbey, the Stift Heiligenkreuz (Abbey of the Holy Cross), a beautiful, living Abbey that has functioned uninterrupted since it was founded in 1133 by Saint Leopold III. This peaceful monastery, which is one of the most beautiful medieval monasteries in the world, is located in the middle of the Vienna Woods (Weinerwald) approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Baden, and is surrounded by quiet, beautiful, rolling countryside. Now listed as a U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site, the buildings of the monastery are outstanding examples of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectures and are essentially even more important due to having been continually used and maintained in near perfect condition!!
It is today the largest Cistercian monastery in Europe and still maintains the traditions of the Cistercians who live in the rhythm of prayer and work. The Abbots are noted for their piety and learning and support themselves through farming and forestry. Currently the monastery has 77 members, 18 affiliated parishes and a Pontifical Theological Academy with 180 students, and a library of 50,000 books.
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