Abbey of St. Paul im Lavantal - Benedictine monastery, located on the banks of the River Lavant in Carinthia. The monastery is located at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level on a rocky hill. Most of the currently existing buildings of the monastery were built in the Baroque style in the 17th century. From old buildings survived the collegiate church of the 13th century.

The monastery was founded in 1091 by order of the governor of Carinthia on the place of birth of the castle. In 1367, a fire that began with fire towers, destroyed part of the monastery. The destroyed buildings were quickly repaired.

In the 15th century during the feud between Duke Frederick and the Earl of Celje, who later became abbot of the monastery of John I (1432-1448), the monastery was looted, resulting in a lot of things from the collection were destroyed. Abbot John II of Esslinger (1455-1483) to strengthen the defense of the monastery and rebuild the gates and walls. The fortifications were so good that even the invasion of the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus in 1480 without disturbing the abbey.

In 1787, Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery, but already in 1809 under the direction of the abbot Berthold Rottler, the monks of the abbey just fluff of St. Blaise in the Black Forest moved to St. Paul im Lavantal.

In 1940, the monastery was again dismissed by the National Socialists, the monks were able to return only in 1947. Today it is the oldest active monastery in Carinthia.

Of particular interest is the Romanesque church. its apse frescoes adorn the "Adoration of the Magi" and "Christ on the throne." The richest collection of the monastery museum you can see the ancient vestments and ancient tomes, prints by Albrecht Durer and Rembrandt, Rubens, as well as other works of art and curiosities.