Einsiedeln Abbey

Einsiedeln Abbey (German: Kloster Einsiedeln) is a Catholic monastery of the Benedictine Order, located in the village of Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

Renowned as one of the most significant Baroque monastic complexes in Europe, it is also Switzerland’s largest pilgrimage destination. At the heart of its spiritual draw is the revered Black Madonna, housed in the Chapel of Grace, which welcomes approximately 800,000 pilgrims and visitors annually.

The monastic community consists of around 40 Benedictine monks. As a territorial abbey, Einsiedeln is independent of diocesan or episcopal authority, granting it unique ecclesiastical autonomy.

To sustain its operations, the abbey manages a private secondary school, a winery, a sawmill, a restaurant, and several small enterprises.