Founded in 1326 by Carthusian monks, the Allerengelberg Monastery forms a dramatic backdrop to the picturesque village of Monte S. Caterina/Katharinaberg in Schnalstal Valley.
The
monks inhabited its
walls in peace and seclusion for over 400 years. With the advent of secularization under Joseph II, the Carthusian abbey in the Schnalstal Valley was closed in 1782 and the buildings converted into living quarters. The former Carthusian abbey has remained
intact and is open to visitors year round. In the summer, guided tours of the monastery are offered.
The
Silentium Project in the village of Certosa/Karthaus is dedicated to the concept of silence in keeping with the peaceful atmosphere. Art
exhibitions are sometimes held in the old cloister, and a contemplative walk known as the Via Monachorum leads to the former abbey.