Mariastern Abbey

The origins of the area where the abbey stands date back to the early 9th century, when farms named “Cawicca” and “Cawica” were mentioned in documents. In the 14th century, the Lords of Kürenbach sold two farms to Konrad von Wolfegg, who combined them with the castles of Alt-Schönstein and Neu-Schönstein. Subsequently, the ownership of Gwiggen Castle, whose exact construction period is in the 16th or 17th century, changed hands among many noble families. In 1612, Weißenau Monastery acquired Gwiggen, before it passed to Colonel Caspar von Schoch in the 17th century. It was later extensively restored by his daughter-in-law and her second husband, Franz Seyfried von Thunau, who added a Loreto Chapel. In 1711, the estate passed to the Lindau Ladies' Convent, and after the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, it became property of Bavaria, before being privatized and used as an inn and brewery. The current Mariastern Abbey was founded in 1856 by Cistercian nuns from the dissolved Swiss monasteries of Kalchrain and Feldbach, who found a new home here. Later, the convent of Tänikon also joined. The monastery was expanded in several phases to meet the growing needs of the community, and the large Neo-Romanesque abbey church was built at the end of the 19th century.

Mariastern Abbey is located in Hohenweiler in the Bregenz district of Vorarlberg, Austria, at an elevation of approximately 499 m above sea level.

Today, Mariastern Abbey continues to operate as an active monastery. Visitors can explore the abbey church and experience the tranquil atmosphere of the place. A monastery shop and a guesthouse are also available.

• Ruggburg Castle Ruin (Castle), approx. 3.0 km away
• Hofen Castle (Castle), approx. 3.9 km away
• Alt-Hofen Castle Ruin (Castle), approx. 3.9 km away
• Wellenstein Manor (Manor House), approx. 5.4 km away