Klosterneuburg Abbey

Klosterneuburg was founded in 1114 by Margrave Leopold III and has been occupied by Augustinian canons ever since, without interruption, which is unusual. Its treasure is the Verdun Altar: fifty-one gilded copper plaques in champlevé enamel made by Nicholas of Verdun and finished in 1181, originally an ambo and later reworked into an altarpiece, arranged in three registers so that scenes from before the Law, under the Law and under Grace read across each other - one of the major surviving works of medieval metalwork anywhere. Charles VI began rebuilding the abbey in the 1730s as an Austrian Escorial, with domes carrying the imperial and archducal crowns; he died and only a quarter was built. The abbey also runs the oldest winery in Austria.

What you actually see

• The Verdun Altar - fifty-one enamel plaques by Nicholas of Verdun, finished 1181.
• An unfinished imperial abbey - a quarter of Charles VI's Escorial scheme built.
• Crowned domes - the imperial and archducal crowns on the completed towers.
• The oldest Austrian winery - the abbey vineyards and cellars still working.

When to go

All year; the altar is opened fully on certain days. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The Verdun Altar is normally seen closed and shown open only around specific dates - check before travelling for it. Most access is by guided tour. It is a working abbey with restricted areas.

Nearby

Vienna is twenty minutes by train; the Danube and the Vienna Woods are alongside.