Holidays in cloisters

In the past years, “alternative” holidays are increasingly being chosen. One of these, are holidays in spiritual sites. Thus, monasteries and convents have become the favorite destinations of organized trips or the sites of open-door events. A further step was taken in Austria: to bring together Austrian, Hungarian and Czech convents in “Klösterreich”, an association which proposes cultural and/or spiritual activities. Art courses, spiritual exercises, healthcare and “convent” vacations. These are the main activities of “Klösterreich”.A rich vacation. Holidays “as rich as the treasures and the knowledge which convents have to offer”. This is the proposal of “Klösterreich”. Visitors can choose a vacation based on culture, nature and wellness, enabling them at the same time to learn the century-long spiritual tradition of 20 Austrian, Hungarian and Czech convents and monasteries. “Convent holidays can purify body and souls”, said Christian Haidinger, abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Altenburg, President of the Association, during the initiative’s press conference in Marienkron, while headed to the monastery of Cistercian nuns and abbey of Zirc, Hungary.A new kind of tourism. The new program of the association follows the new trend of cultural and spiritual tourism. “Convents show their treasures and call to participate in the conventual life, especially the communal prayer”, Haidinger claimed. As the demand rises, the offer does too: health-holidays, cultural-holidays and relax. The abbess of Marienkron, sister Mirjam Dinkelbach, explained how this is possible. Since 1969 its premises include a section devoted to complete body, soul and mind-therapy. “Marienkron’s four-level treatment decreases or eliminates, under the form of preventive medicine, many ailments. This also improves the quality of personal life”, she claimed. Along with traditional purification methods, such as fasting and Kneipp therapies, there are also convents which offer ‘moderate gym’ programs such as yoga and trekking. Each convent is famous for its products: herbs, juices, organic food and herbal remedies which can be bought as souvenirs. Wines produced in the different convents and monasteries are another element of attraction for enological tourism. Klösterreich’s convents and monasteries also present initiatives for children and the youth. These include guided tours for children, like in the Altenburg monastery, which is known as the “children’s convent”, where a mysterious monk encourages children to discover the messages hidden inside the convent. Just like the adults, also the youth have the possibility of staying inside the convent for a short stay. For example, the convent of Gurk, holds orientation. While the youth aged 17 or more can participate in the “spiritual sport weeks” organized in the monastery of Heiligenkreuz. During the summer, the monastery of Herzogenburg has a rich program with competitions, theatre, circus and workshops for children and the youth. Music for the spirit. There are also music proposals. Klösterreich organizes a wide range of events: from Gregorian choirs to organ concerts, from Baroque to modern music. Performances are held in the St. Florian convent in Austria, which has the famous Brucknerorgel, and which proposes organ concerts all year round, in particular from half September to half October. Or else in the monastery of Rein, near Graz, which hosts the Chamber Music festival of Stiria in August-September. In the basilica of the Hungarian abbey of Pannonhalma, universal heritage of Unesco, a number of organ concerts are held and at the end of August the international festival of contemporary music “Arcus Temporum” takes place. Special initiatives. “Klösterreich” also promotes special events, such as “the long night of Churches”, on May 30th. On this occasion, the convent of Altenburg will be open to the public. At sunset, visitors will be guided in the “garden of religions”. The Heiligenkreuz convent in Vienna will open the Bernardi-Kapelle. Abbot Gregor Henckel-Donnersmark will guide visitors to the chapel which is normally closed to the public. Also St. Florian’s convent will open its doors: the Church will be open and the Brucknerorgel will be the protagonist of a night concert. But also the convents and monasteries of Herzongenburg, Lilienfeld, Melk, Marienkron, Gurk, Linz and Rein near Graz will participate with different events.