Burgeis: Marienberg Abbey, Churches and Trails

Marienberg Abbey above Burgeis

Marienberg Abbey is located at an altitude of around 1,350 metres on the mountainside above the village of Burgeis, on the road towards Schlinig and Watles. Marienberg Abbey was founded in the 12th century and is still a Benedictine monastery.

The “Ora et labora” Museum at Marienberg Abbey is open to the public; admission is charged. The “Ora et labora” Museum, the abbey shop and the abbey church of Marienberg Abbey are accessible. For orientation on site, a distinction must therefore be made between the publicly accessible museum and the other accessible areas of the abbey.

Churches and medieval buildings

The cemetery church of St. Michael in Burgeis has a Romanesque rounded apse within the thickness of the wall. Traces of 13th-century frescoes have been preserved on the north wall of St. Michael’s Chapel in Burgeis. The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Burgeis was built at the end of the 17th century.

The medieval Fürstenburg complex in Burgeis was built in the 13th century by Bishop Konrad of Chur. The keep of Fürstenburg has walls three metres thick. Remains of 13th-century frescoes have been preserved in St. Nicholas Church in Burgeis. According to an inscription, St. Nicholas Church in Burgeis was first consecrated around 1199.

Guided tours take place in St. Nicholas Church in Burgeis every Friday at 5 p.m. from 10 April to 30 October 2026. This offer is therefore tied to a clearly defined period and a fixed day of the week.

Trails between Marienberg and Burgeis

The Sonnensteig themed trail begins at Marienberg Abbey at an altitude of 1,338 metres. The section of the Sonnensteig themed trail from Marienberg Abbey to Burgeis is dedicated to the Benedictines. Along the Sonnensteig themed trail, information panels explain interesting facts about Saint Benedict, the irrigation channels, nature and the legends of the Upper Vinschgau. The Sonnensteig thus combines its dedication to the Benedictines with nature themes and legends from the Upper Vinschgau.

The short Benedict Trail leads from Burgusio to Marienberg Abbey. Marienberg Abbey can also be reached via a short detour from the Adige Cycle Route. Anyone planning a circular hike to the mountain lake of Burgeis starts at the information office in Burgeis, initially follows Trail No. 3 to the mountain lake above the village and returns to the village via Trail No. 4.

Watles Adventure Lake and Getting There

The Watles Adventure Lake above Burgeis covers 1,500 m² and offers children free adventure with a wooden raft, a spring, a two-metre-high waterfall and a small stream. Burgeis can be reached by Citybus 274 and regular bus 273.

More destinations

Glurns, Martell, Kapron, Prad am Stilfserjoch, Goldrain, Graun im Vinschgau, Schnals, Latsch

For the overview of the wider travel region: Vinschgau.