The Cradle of Stillness
Stepping onto Fraueninsel in Lake Chiemsee feels like entering another world. Free from cars, surrounded by water and bathed in the gentle light beneath the majestic Alps, this ancient island of monasteries and fishermen seems to exist beyond the rush of everyday life.
The island’s history stretches back centuries, from the early fishermen crossing the lake in simple wooden boats to the arrival of monks and the remarkable Abbess Irmengard, whose legacy of care and community lives on. At its heart stands Frauenwörth Abbey, a place of silence and contemplation that has welcomed pilgrims, seekers and visitors for generations.
Today, the abbey welcomes people from around the world, offering an extraordinary setting for reflection, personal exploration and meaningful encounters. Beyond our retreat sessions, a leisurely walk around the island leads through peaceful gardens and quiet paths, past traditional lakeside inns and towards beautiful views across the water to the distant mountains.
Here, surrounded by the quiet presence of nature and centuries of human history, we find space to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with ourselves and one another.
We look forward to sharing this very special place with you.
Take a look at the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LlP5ybdcHs
A Sanctuary of Female Legacy: Frauenwörth Abbey
Frauenwörth Abbey is a place shaped by over 1,200 years of female leadership, resilience, and spiritual devotion.
Founded in 766 AD, it is one of the oldest active monastic sites in Germany. In the 9th century, the famous Abbess Irmengard—
a great-great-granddaughter of Charlemagne—guided the abbey with extraordinary compassion. Her legacy of care and quiet strength still lingers throughout the island today.
For over a millennium, generations of Benedictine nuns have held and protected this sacred space. Through times of historic upheaval, their unwavering courage kept the abbey alive.
Today, the nuns continue this tradition of open-minded hospitality, welcoming retreat guests into a living monument of peace. Stepping onto the monastery grounds means walking in the footsteps of remarkable women who have nurtured this sanctuary for over twelve centuries.
We took the pictures of Fraueninsel during our visit on 12- 16 October 2026
Accommodations and the Ferry
Please go to Travel + Accommodation to find all overnight options and lists of Hotels around the Abbey.
Guests at the Abbey
Most retreat participants will stay at the Abbey, where we have reserved an allotment of 45 rooms available for either single or double occupancy. To get a room in the Abbey, you need a Retreat Ticket.
Guesthouses on Fraueninsel and in Gstadt on the Mainland
Other retreat participants are welcome to book their accommodation either on Fraueninsel itself or in Gstadt on the mainland.
The ferry from Gstadt to Fraueninsel
The return ferry runs hourly, and the crossing takes only 15 minutes.
Abbey Garden and the Klosterwirt
