PilgrimstaysThe Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln in the Swiss canton of Schwyz is the most visited pilgrimage site in Switzerland and one of the most important Marian shrines in the German-speaking world. The abbey was founded in 934 on the site where the hermit St Meinrad was martyred by robbers in 861 AD. The name Einsiedeln means hermitage — the place of the solitary one. At its heart is the Chapel of Grace, containing the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln, a 15th-century wooden figure dressed in embroidered robes within a black protective coating. The Black Madonna has been venerated at Einsiedeln since the 10th century and has an extraordinary tradition of pilgrimage. St Meinrad built the first chapel here in 828. The Angelus prayer — now recited throughout the Catholic world three times daily — was historically associated with Einsiedeln, where the evening bell calling monks to prayer gave rise to the tradition. Zwingli, the Swiss reformer, was once a priest in this town. The Baroque abbey church, rebuilt in 1735 after a fire, is one of the finest examples of Swiss Baroque architecture. It faces an enormous forecourt with a large fountain — pilgrims bathe their eyes and hands in the 14 spouts. The Benedictine community of approximately 60 monks still maintains the Divine Office and provides the liturgical framework for the millions who come seeking the Black Madonna.
The most visited pilgrimage site in Switzerland — 800,000 pilgrims per year The
Angelus bell tradition — now universal in the Catholic world — is historically
associated with Einsiedeln St Meinrad, founder of the first hermitage here, was martyred
by robbers in 861 AD The Black Madonna has been venerated continuously since
the 10th century A Benedictine community of ~60 monks maintains the Divine Office
Within the abbey church The barrel-vaulted chapel at the west end of the nave encloses the Black Madonna. The chapel is itself entirely clad in black marble, with silver decorations and hundreds of flickering candles. Entering from the nave into the black chapel is a dramatic transition. The Madonna, small, dark, enthroned, looks down with an expression of grave tenderness.
In front of the abbey church [OUTDOOR] The large forecourt fountain with 14 spouts of spring water is where pilgrims gather to bathe hands, faces, and fill containers. The tradition of washing in the sacred water of Einsiedeln is centuries old. At the major feasts the forecourt is filled with thousands of pilgrims.
Abbey church choir The Benedictine monks' Vespers at 5:30 PM, sung in Latin with Gregorian chant, is one of the most moving daily liturgical experiences available to pilgrims in Europe. The choir, the incense, the candlelight, and the voices of the monastic community are exactly what Einsiedeln has been for over a thousand years.
In front of the abbey [OUTDOOR] The immense semicircular forecourt, designed by the architect Caspar Moosbrugger, is one of the finest Baroque spaces in Switzerland. Two wings of the monastery frame the church behind. On feast days it fills with tens of thousands of pilgrims; on weekday mornings it is peaceful, the fountain sounding in the silence.
Behind and around the abbey [OUTDOOR] Marked paths through the forest lead to a replica of the Bethlehem cave, the Lourdes grotto, and various shrines. St Meinrad's spiritual lineage connects Einsiedeln to the earliest hermit tradition of Christian solitude. Walking in the forest behind the abbey, the hermitage tradition becomes briefly comprehensible.
St Meinrad came to this valley to be alone with God. He was murdered by two robbers he had welcomed as guests. His body was found by his hermit colleagues; the church was built on the site; the Benedictines came; the Black Madonna arrived; the pilgrims came. This is the paradox of holy places: the hermit who seeks solitude creates a community. Einsiedeln means hermitage. It has never been less than one of the busiest pilgrimage destinations in Central Europe.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Read in full on Bible Gateway →The Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln in the Swiss canton of Schwyz is the most visited pilgrimage site in Switzerland and one of the most important Marian shrines in the German-speaking world. The abbey was founded in 934 on the site where the hermit St Meinrad was martyred by robbers in 861 AD. The name Einsiedeln means hermitage — the place of the solitary one.
At its heart is the Chapel of Grace, containing the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln, a 15th-century wooden figure dressed in embroidered robes within a black protective coating. The Black Madonna has been venerated at Einsiedeln since the 10th century and has an extraordinary tradition of pilgrimage. St Meinrad built the first chapel here in 828. The Angelus prayer — now recited throughout the Catholic world three times daily — was historically associated with Einsiedeln, where the evening bell calling monks to prayer gave rise to the tradition. Zwingli, the Swiss reformer, was once a priest in this town.
The Baroque abbey church, rebuilt in 1735 after a fire, is one of the finest examples of Swiss Baroque architecture. It faces an enormous forecourt with a large fountain — pilgrims bathe their eyes and hands in the 14 spouts. The Benedictine community of approximately 60 monks still maintains the Divine Office and provides the liturgical framework for the millions who come seeking the Black Madonna.
