Stams: Abbey, Churches and Oak Forest

Stams can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of the abbey and churches, the museum collections, the natural monument of Stamser Eichenwald (Stams Oak Forest), and the Tyrolean Way of St. James. This variety is useful if you want to plan your stay around culture, scenery, or a combination of the two. Culture and nature also offer different experiences here: at the abbey, the focus is on the collections and guided tours; in the oak forest, it is on the nature trail along the stream.

The Abbey and Ecclesiastical History

The abbey church has been a minor basilica since September 1984. On a guided tour of Stams Abbey, you can visit the basilica, cloister, Bernardisaal (Bernard Hall), and museum. As visits take place as part of a guided tour and arrangements may change, check the current options before your visit.

The Stams Abbey Museum presents a cross-section of the abbey’s collections in a permanent exhibition and documents the monastery’s ties to Tyrolean regional history. This brings the collections and the monastery’s historical connection with Tyrol into focus together—two aspects that complement the museum experience beyond the architecture of the abbey church.

Stams parish church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. A church with this dedication has existed in Stams since the year 700; in the 11th century, the parish church was an important pilgrimage church. To understand the town’s history, it is worth considering these dates separately: one points to an early ecclesiastical tradition, the other to the importance of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.

Nature and the Pilgrimage Route

Stamser Eichenwald has been a natural monument since 1929. A nature trail runs through the forest alongside the stream, offering information about birds, herbs, grasses, and wetlands. The trail thus connects different nature-related topics along a single route. If you would like to include scenery and nature knowledge in your travel plans alongside churches and collections, the oak forest offers a distinct focus.

The Tyrolean Way of St. James also passes through Stams. On the section from Pfaffenhofen to Roppen, hikers will find Stams Abbey. If you plan to walk this section, check route conditions before setting off. This places Stams both as a town with a rich monastic history and as a stop on a named pilgrimage route.

Building History, Production and Sport

Stamser Alm comprises a significant ensemble of Baroque buildings. The residence and church were built there in the mid-18th century as a summer retreat for the monks of Stams Abbey. This specific purpose adds to the architectural context: the buildings were intended as a summer residence for the monks.

Another long-standing tradition is the production of spirits. Schnaps, spirits, and liqueurs have been produced at the distillery of Stams Abbey since the 16th century. This adds a distinct aspect of local production to the history of the church and collections.

The Brunnental K105 and K60 ski jumps add a more recent historical note. Construction of the two jumps, an important summer training center for Austrian ski jumpers, began in 1988; the facility, with a snowmaking system and lift, was completed in 1990. The dates distinguish the start of construction from completion and give the subject of sport its own place alongside older cultural landmarks.

Discover more destinations: Roppen, Sankt Leonhard in Pitztal, Obergurgl, Jerzens, Karrösten, Umhausen, Tarrenz, Sautens.

For the broader travel overview: Imst.