Abbazia di Novacella

History

Founded in 1142 by Blessed Hartmann, bishop of Bressanone, it has been inhabited by Augustinian canons without interruption ever since and is today one of the largest conventual complexes in Italy. For centuries it served as a hospice for pilgrims bound for the Holy Land, as recalled by the singular castle-chapel of St Michael known as the "Castle of the Angel". It holds a monumental Rococo library of tens of thousands of volumes and a winery active for over eight centuries — among the oldest in the world still producing — famous for Sylvaner and Kerner.

Visiting

What to see

Baroque church. Well of Marvels (XVI century) with the seven ancient wonders. Library with 92,000 volumes and rococo hall. Centuries-old viticulture, award-winning wines.

Surroundings

Isarco Valley, 10 km from Brixen. Isarco cycling route. South Tyrolean wine road. Vineyards and Dolomite forests. Strudel, canederli, speck.

Visitor information

Complex open Mon-Sat approx. 10am-5pm; daily guided tours by reservation.

Contacts

+39 0472 836189 · www.kloster-neustift.it · info@abbazianovacella.it

Hospitality and where to sleep

No guesthouse

No guesthouse. Farm stays of the Isarco Valley. B&Bs in Varna and Brixen (10 km).

Beds and prices

The internal boarding house is reserved for students: there is no tourist guesthouse open to pilgrims. On the other hand Varna and Bressanone (3 km) offer a wide choice of garni, pensions and hotels in every price range, from budget B&Bs to the historic hotels of the episcopal centre.

Services

Drinking water at the fountains of the complex; winery with wine shop, tastings and direct sale of the abbey's wines, plus a shop of convent products. Seasonal bar-refreshment point in the complex and restaurants a few minutes' ride towards Bressanone. Internal conference centre; electronic payments accepted at the wine shop and ticket office.

Places to stay nearby (within 15 km)

No places listed within 15 km yet: the overnight network is a work in progress.

Getting there by bike

Museum with audioguide €13 (over-65s €11, students up to 26 and teens 15-18 €7); guided tour €18, at 11am and 2.30pm by booking. Open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm (last entry 4.15pm); closed on Sundays and religious holidays. From the official site, September 2026.

The Val d'Isarco cycle path passes almost beneath the abbey's walls, an easy arrival from Bressanone. The museum closes on Sundays, useful to know before planning the stage. The centuries-old winery stays open for a stop with tasting.

Racks at the large entrance car park. Drinking water at the complex's fountains; winery with wine shop and seasonal bar-restaurant.

Map and stages