Admont Abbey Library is the only Austrian entry in the top 20 most beautiful interiors in the world
A special international accolade for Admont Benedictine Abbey: according to a recent international study, Admont Abbey Library ranks amongst the top 20 most beautiful interiors in the world. Ranked 17th with 77.7 out of 100 points, the world’s largest monastic library is the only Austrian representative amongst the world’s top libraries.
Admont thus joins the ranks of a selection of exceptional cultural and architectural sites from around the world.
The ranking is topped by the Abbey Library of St Gallen in Switzerland, followed by Mysore Palace in India and the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest. A total of eight European interiors made it into the top 20 – Austria is represented solely by the Admont Abbey Library.
The AllClear, travel insurance specialists international study carried out examined the effect of significant interior spaces on viewers and, on that basis, identified those places that are particularly fascinating and attract attention.
„A great joy and a cause for gratitude“
For Father Prior Maximilian Schiefermüller OSB, As librarian at Admont Abbey, this international recognition is of particular significance, especially in this anniversary year: „This award fills me with great joy and gratitude. It is wonderful to see that, even after 250 years, culture, architecture and literature continue to move and inspire people all over the world. Our library is a place of knowledge and beauty – and a place that connects people with our history.“
Admont is captivating the world
This latest accolade marks yet another highlight in a series of exceptional international successes in recent years. A travel recommendation from Oprah Winfrey had already put Admont Abbey Library in the international spotlight and generated a great deal of attention, particularly in the USA.
This Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk has also repeatedly made its mark in international rankings: the Abbey Library has been voted one of the most beautiful libraries in the world and today captivates an audience of millions via international media and digital platforms.
Another extraordinary moment followed in 2026: at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the Admont Abbey Library was featured in the opening sequence before the performance by DARA, who went on to win the contest. Images of Admont were thus presented to a global audience of millions on one of the biggest international television stages.
Mario Brandmüller, The museum’s financial director and head of tourism and communications at Admont Abbey sees this as a striking confirmation of its international appeal: „The fact that Admont is the only Austrian representative in the top 20 makes us particularly proud. From Oprah Winfrey to international rankings and the Eurovision Song Contest, it is clear just how much influence our abbey library now wields far beyond the borders of Austria.“
250 years of the Collegiate Library – an anniversary with international appeal
This latest award could hardly have come at a more fitting time: in 2026, the Admont Abbey Library will celebrate its 250th anniversary. Since its completion in 1776, it has stood for knowledge, art, architecture and the preservation of a unique cultural heritage.
The fact that, a quarter of a millennium later, it is the only Austrian interior to be listed amongst the 20 most beautiful in the world is a striking testament to its timeless appeal.
