Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Italy
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Monastery · Engelberg, Obwalden
Kloster Engelberg
Benedictine monastery founded in 1120, rebuilt after the 1729 fire, with a baroque church, an organ with 137 stops and a cheese dairy open to visitors in the courtyard.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Kloster Engelberg
The Kloster Engelberg was founded in 1120 by Count Konrad von Sellenbüren, and the village grew up around it. The monks governed the valley until 1798. The monastery still houses a Benedictine community, a boarding school and a library founded in the 12th century.
A fire in 1729 destroyed much of the buildings, which were rebuilt in the following decades. The baroque church, built from 1730 to 1737, has a light interior with stucco and gilded altars. The main organ, originating from an instrument of 1876–1877, reaches 137 stops.
In the courtyard operates the Schaukäserei, a cheese dairy with glass walls where you can see production several times a day. There they make the Engelberger Klosterglocke, a bell-shaped cheese, as well as goat and sheep cheeses. The shop and bistro are open every day.
Guided tours show the church and the library, in German and other languages; check the days.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours, including the cheese dairy and the church.
Best time
Mid-morning or early afternoon, when the cheese dairy is usually in production. It's a good option for a cloudy day at Titlis.
How to get there
It's in the center of Engelberg, about a 10-minute walk from the train station.
Tip
Try the Klosterglocke at the cheese dairy's bistro. On Saturdays, the courtyard usually hosts a market of regional products.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kloster Engelberg
Can you visit the Engelberg monastery?
Yes. The church is open to visitors outside of services, and there are guided tours of the church and the library on scheduled days.
What is the Schaukäserei?
The monastery's cheese dairy, with glass walls, where you can see the cheese being made and buy in the shop.
How old is the monastery?
It was founded in 1120. The current buildings date from the 18th century, after a fire in 1729.