Special Guided Tours 2026
900 Years of Architectural History at Stift Rein
Within the walls of Stift Rein, Romanesque and Gothic architectural details have been preserved, which can tell a lot about the medieval monastery complex. The Abbots’ Gallery and the Old Convent Courtyard – one of the oldest courtyard buildings in Styria – have been redesigned into an important contemporary document that makes the superimposed epochs from Romanesque to Gothic to Baroque and Modernism tangible and “readable”. Overall, a tour through the monastery walls leads through the 900-year architectural history of Stift Rein.
With Elisabeth Brenner
Dates: Saturday, May 30, at 2:00 p.m.
The Cross Chapel
In 2025, the early 15th-century Cross Chapel was restored—a Gothic architectural gem in Rein Abbey.
With Elisabeth Brenner
Dates: Saturday, August 1 | Saturday, September 19, 2:00 PM
From the defensive walls to the abbey garden
A tour through the outdoor facilities of the monastery leads through the courtyards, the fortifications from the Turkish period, the mill and the Baroque garden, and shows the growth of the almost 900-year-old Cistercian monastery. With Hanneliese Clarici
Dates: Saturday, May 16 | September 12, 2:00 PM
Children’s tour
Stift Rein is almost 900 years old. What mysterious treasures might be hidden behind the old monastery walls? And how did they get there? Perhaps the old turtle or Margrave Leopold know more about it. The monks of Rein could surely tell us a lot too! Join us on a treasure hunt full of riddles and discoveries, including a test of courage! And please don’t forget your flashlight! With Irmgard Reiter
Dates: Saturday, June 13 | October 3, 2:00 PM
The Habsburgs in Stift Rein
Eleven people from the House of Habsburg, dukes and emperors, are represented in Stift Rein through various artifacts and stories. We dedicate this special theme to a tour through the monastery.
With Harald Schimek
Dates: Saturday, May 2 | October 24, 2:00 PM
The Rein Basilica
The most renowned craftsmen and artists active in Graz for the church and noble houses during the 18th century left behind a complete work of art with the Basilica of Stift Rein. After extensive restoration, it shines once again in the splendor of its original era. This special tour reveals the Baroque magnificence and offers a glimpse of how this church must have appeared to the people of that time as “Heaven on Earth.”
With Elisabeth Telsnig
Dates: Saturday, June 20 | Friday, September 25, 2:00 PM
The (Rein) Ulrichsberg
400 million years of natural history and 6,000 years of cultural history distinguish the wooded hill behind Stift Rein, with its small St. Ulrich’s Church, as a unique site. This will be explored during a hike.
With Harald Schimek
Dates: Saturday, May 23 | September 5, 2:00 PM
The cradle of Styria
Twelve stations bring to life the people who have shaped the area around Stift Rein for approximately 6,000 years. Visitors encounter Neolithic men and women at work, experience the religious world of the Middle Ages, and follow the transformation through all eras—personalities from and around Stift Rein as learners, teachers, and ultimately as influential elites on the threshold of the modern age. Current findings from social, economic, and ecclesiastical history impressively underscore the importance of Rein as one of the oldest cradles of Styria.
With Johannes Kübeck
Dates: Saturday, April 25 | July 11 | August 8 |
November 14, 2:00 PM
Rein Abbots as Builders and Politicians
Nearly 60 abbots served throughout the 900-year history of Stift Rein. During this long period, several personalities not only shaped the monastic life of the monks but also promoted the economic and political significance of the abbey. The lineage of builders ranges from Abbot Gerlach, the founding abbot in the early 12th century, to Abbot Ludwig von Plankenwarth and Abbot Placidus Mally, the great Baroque builder of the 18th century. At the beginning of the 15th century, Abbot Angelus Manse was secretary and court chaplain to Duke Ernest the Iron and, as such, an important political advisor to this Habsburg, who was the father of Emperor Frederick III and grandfather of Emperor Maximilian. In the 19th century, Abbot Ludwig Grophius was a close associate and confidant of Archduke Johann and also the first rector of the Technical University. This special tour also introduces other notable Cistercian figures from Rein.
With Gabriela Stieber
Dates: Saturday, June 27 | October 17, 2:00 PM
The Monastery Garden and its History
In the newly redesigned abbey garden, the structures of the Baroque garden are still recognizable and palpable. The strictly symmetrical path system has been restored, a fountain once again rises from the central Baroque well, and the Nymphaeum located on the east wall is accessible again, bearing witness to the former Baroque splendor of these grounds. The tour through this garden traces the varied fate of the site—from Baroque presentation and its function as a “kitchen garden” to unused wasteland and the newly created ecologically valuable meadows with their blossoms and buzzing.
With Elisabeth Brenner, Edeltraud Taxacher
Dates: Saturday, May 9 | June 6 | August 22, 2:00 PM
Book Art
Scripts, writing materials, initials, book bindings: The tour offers an overview of the book art of the Rein scriptorium, from the Rein Pattern Book to the Wolfgang Missal.
With Elisabeth Brenner & Johann Uitz
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2:00 PM
The Scriptorium of the Rein Monks
What did books look like in the Middle Ages? Who wrote them and with what? Before the invention of the printing press, book production was a very laborious task. A walk through the Rein Abbey Library provides insight into the fascinating world of the medieval book: the work of scribes and illuminators is presented, along with writing instruments, inks, and dyes used for the magnificent book illuminations.
With Elisabeth Brenner
Dates: Saturday, July 18 | August 29, 2:00 PM
The Cistercians as pioneers of Europe
The Cistercians shaped the cultural landscapes of Europe like few others. A search for traces in the oldest continuously active Cistercian monastery in the world. With Marlies Pietsch
Dates: Sunday, June 28 | October 4, 2:00 PM
The Tunnel through the Ulrichsberg: Water Supply in the 12th Century
We will explore the monastery’s water supply in the Middle Ages: From the Mühlbach ditch to the Ulrichsberg tunnel, into the Kehrer ditch to the ponds, and out to the old mill. The tunnel dates back to the 12th century and runs 110 m through the Ulrichsberg. Sturdy footwear is required!
With Gerhard Fürnhammer
Dates: Saturday, October 10 | November 7, 2:00 PM
6,500 years of chert mining in the Rein Basin
Special tour of the new Stein.Zeit.Museum and chert mining in the vicinity of Stift Rein. With exhibition curator Daniel Modl. A cooperation with the Universalmuseum Joanneum
Dates: Saturday, May 16 | June 20 | September 19 |
October 17, 2:00 PM
Christmas in Stift Rein
A Christmas tour for the whole family.
With Irmgard Reiter
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2:00 PM
Christmas from an art-historical perspective. A lecture by Elisabeth Brenner
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2:00 PM