Einsiedeln Abbey

Einsiedeln, a small town in the hills of the canton of Schwyz about an hour from Zurich, is home to the most important pilgrimage site in Switzerland and one of the great Baroque buildings of Europe. The Benedictine monastery was founded in the tenth century on the site where the hermit Meinrad lived and was murdered, and monks have prayed here ever since, for more than a thousand years. The present complex, rebuilt in the eighteenth century, is vast: a long, symmetrical facade with twin towers looks down over a huge sloping square with a fountain, and behind it lies the monastery church, the largest Baroque church in Switzerland. Inside, the effect is overwhelming: a riot of stucco, gilding and ceiling frescoes in soft pinks, golds and greens, by some of the finest artists of the southern German Baroque, filling the nave and the domes with light and colour. Just inside the entrance stands the Chapel of Grace, a black marble chapel built over the place of Meinrad's cell, which holds the Black Madonna, a fifteenth-century statue of the Virgin and Child, dressed in rich robes and darkened by centuries of candle smoke, venerated by pilgrims from across Europe. Einsiedeln is also a stop on the Swiss Way of St. James. The church is free to visit outside services, and visitors are welcome as long as they respect the worship; the monks still sing the daily offices, and hearing the Salve Regina sung at the Chapel of Grace is a memorable experience. The abbey library, with a Rococo hall and precious manuscripts, is not open to the public but is included in the guided monastery tours, held most afternoons except Sundays and public holidays. The monastery also keeps a famous stud of horses, and the town has bakeries selling Schafboecke, the traditional honey gingerbread. From 27 November to 6 December 2026, the Einsiedeln Christmas market fills the square in front of the abbey, one of the biggest in Switzerland.

How to visit: take the train from Zurich, changing at Waedenswil or Biberbrugg, about an hour in total, covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Walk up the main street to the square, take in the facade, then enter the church quietly and spend time in the nave and at the Chapel of Grace. If you want to see the library and the monastery buildings, book or join the guided tour in the afternoon (about one and a half hours; check the tour language when booking). Check the abbey website or local tourism for the times of the sung offices if you want to hear the monks.

Seasonal notes: in winter, Einsiedeln sits in snowy hills, and the nearby Sihlsee and the Ybrig area offer cross-country skiing and winter walks. The Christmas market from 27 November to 6 December 2026 draws large crowds, especially at weekends, so go on a weekday if you can. In summer, the town is a base for hiking and for the pilgrim path down to Rapperswil and Lake Zurich.

Who it suits: lovers of art, architecture and religious history, couples looking for a quieter day, and first-time visitors who want to see a side of Switzerland beyond lakes and cities. Families can combine it with Rapperswil for a two-stop day. Dress respectfully, keep voices low, and avoid visiting during Mass if you want to walk around freely.