Zwettl Abbey Celebrates European Heritage Label with Cistercapes Partners
Zwettl Abbey, one of the 17 Cistercian monastic landscapes honored under the “Cisterscapes – Connecting Europe” initiative, celebrated its recognition with the prestigious European Heritage Label on May 11th, 2024. This event marked a significant milestone for Zwettl Abbey, which became only the fourth site in Austria to receive this honor. The celebration was attended by partners from the Cisterscapes network, local and international supporters, politicians, cultural and tourism professionals, and media representatives. The gathering not only highlighted the historical importance of Zwettl Abbey but also its enduring role in preserving and promoting European cultural heritage.
Abbot Johannes Maria Szypulski OCist, one of the keynote speakers, emphasized the deep historical impact of the Cistercian order across Europe, noting that the European Heritage Label acknowledges both the order’s rich tradition and its continued influence. The event underscored the collaborative spirit of the Cistercapes project, which has fostered closer ties between Zwettl Abbey and its partners, as well as the surrounding community. Abbey Archivist Dr. Andreas Gamerith highlighted the importance of Zwettl’s historical assets, such as the “Umritt” depiction in the Bärenhaut, the oldest known illustration of a Cistercian monastic landscape, dating back to the early 14th century.
The celebration also served as a platform for networking and discussing future collaborations among the Cisterscapes partners. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their enthusiasm for the project’s vision of connecting European heritage through the shared history of Cistercian landscapes. The event further strengthened the existing partnerships and attracted new interest from individuals and organizations eager to contribute to this cultural initiative.
Looking ahead, Zwettl Abbey has several exciting events planned to continue promoting its heritage.
Cisterscapes – Cistercian Landscapes Connecting Europe (Austria, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Slovenia) was awarded the European Heritage Site in 2023.
