Garstea Benedictine monastery - the monastery in Upper Austria, which currently is a prison. The monastery was founded in the years 1080-82 Ottokar II of Styria as a location for the burial of his dynastic family.

In the years 1107-08, the monastery was given to the creation of a Benedictine abbey, gained independence in 1111. Berthold, former abbot of the abbey of another, became the first abbot of the Benedictine monastery created Garst. Built after the church became one of the most beautiful buildings in the style of High Baroque in the entire territory of Austria. Berthold led to the abbey in 1142, making it a religious and cultural center of the region. During this period, it was formed several parishes. After his death, Berthold was buried in the church of the monastery.

Since 1625 the monastery Garstea became member of the Austrian Benedictine congregation. However, in 1787 the monastery was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II.

Since 1851, in the former monastery housed a prison. This is one of the few Austrian prison where criminals serve sentences that have received a life sentence. The prison is currently held 300 prisoners. Of these, according to the year 2007, 141 criminal (34, 39% of the total) are not Austrian nationals. The prison holds around 20 dangerous criminals who are in custody 24 hours a day.

The monastery church is still preserved as a parish church. It was built by the architect Carlone, it is considered one of the most beautiful baroque buildings high in Austria. Especially notable are the stucco work and the Dutch tapestries. The chapel with beautiful vestries are also of great interest.