Place of Culture
Situated in the heart of Switzerland, Einsiedeln makes a perfect day-trip not just from Zurich but from most other places in Switzerland too.
The main attraction of Einsiedeln is the baroque abbey church. Forming an integrated part of the abbey, its outside offers an imposing sight. The interior is not less impressive not just because of the baroque splendour but by its sheer size which dwarfs many a cathedral. Since the end of the restoration in 1997 the church shines with new splendour.
Other important sights of the abbey include the baroque great hall and the abbey library with books dating back to the founding days of the abbey 1000 years ago.
The town of Einsiedeln has more sights namely the Diorama Bethlehem, the largest Christmas crib in the world and the Panorama, a giant circular painting showing the crucifixion of Christ.
But culture in Einsiedeln not only means architecture, sculptures and paintings, but performances as well:
Music in the Abbey e.g.: the organ concerts in the abbey church with reputed organists, the set of concerts Music in the Great Hall and the Music Festival.
But not just music plays an important role but theatre as well, above all the Great World Theatre by Calderon de la Barca which is played about every five years on the abbey square. The theatre group Chärnehus has made the news with their first performances of plays by the renowned Swiss dramatist Thomas Hürlimann.
Apart from the above, there are various exhibitions in the Great Hall of the abbey and the Chärnehus exhibition hall, symposiums and conferences.