Engelberg Abbey

Engelberg means angel mountain, and the abbey founded here in 1120 gave the valley both its name and its government - until 1798 the abbot was the temporal ruler of the territory, so the community developed as a monastic state rather than an ordinary Swiss commune. Fire destroyed the medieval buildings and the present baroque complex dates from the early eighteenth century; the church holds one of the largest organs in Switzerland, with more than nine thousand pipes. The monks run a secondary school and a show dairy where Engelberg cheese is made and sold. Guided tours cover the church, the library and workshops. The Titlis lifts leave from the village a few minutes away.

What you actually see

• A monastic state until 1798 - the abbot ruling the valley as sovereign.
• A baroque complex of the 1700s - rebuilt after fire took the medieval abbey.
• An organ of over 9,000 pipes - among the largest in the country.
• A working show dairy - abbey cheese made and sold on site.

When to go

All year. Two hours.

Honest expectations

The abbey is a working community - the church is open but access beyond it is by guided tour at set times, mostly in German. Organ recitals are scheduled, not on demand. Engelberg village around it is a modern resort.

Nearby

Mount Titlis is above the village; Lucerne is an hour by train.