Two imposing “onion towers” greet visitors to the Cistercian monastery of Stift Stams from afar. They were built between 1650 and 1750 when the monastery church was converted from the Roman to the Baroque style. However, the monastery was founder much earlier, in 1273 under Count Meinhard II of Görz-Tirol. Since then, this venerable site has had a turbulent history. The monastery church was thoroughly renovated between 1973 and 1985, and Stams also became a venue for socio-political encounters. In the same year, Pope John Paul II elevated the Stams monastery church to the rank of “basilica minor”, one year later it was awarded the “Europa Nostra” prize for the outstandingly successful renovation.

The monastery opens its gates
The interior of the church is magnificent: beautiful ceiling frescos, stucco work, wrought-iron screens are there to be wondered at. Other highlights of Stift Stams include the Bernardisaal, the Holy Blood Chapel and the “Prälatenstiege”. The Padres not only protect the valuable treasures, but are also very open to the world. They run a grammar school with boarding house, and also operate the famous Stams Ski School. They run a cloister shop selling delicacies made at the monastery. It is also possible to have a holiday at the monastery. However, as the guest rooms are in the examination area, only men are accepted.