Page 69 - Bulletin, Vol.83 No.2, September 2024

clothes, and each time I felt a different vibration, and I felt it very strongly when I was
almost alone there. It was indeed an incredible feeling. The healing effect of this place is
said to be no less powerful than that of Lourdes, and many compare it to Lourdes, but
unlike Lourdes, the pilgrimage to Einsiedeln dates back not to a Marian apparition, but
to a monastic tradition. Perhaps the healing effect will be no less powerful. Go and
judge yourself.

There is more to this place. There is one of the largest monastery libraries, founded in
934. It is rich in ancient books containing approximately 230,000 printed books, 1,230
manuscripts and 1,040 volumes of incunabula and ancient printed books. There is also
a federally recognized private Matura school, whose history stretching back more than
1000 years. Around 400 students attend the school, which is taught by around fifty
teachers, among them also five priests.

This may be enough for your first visit, or take a little more time and go up for a general
view. You will be very impressed by how you see the Abbey from the other side. Turn
around and you will also see a beautiful lake. And once at the top, you will suddenly
notice... a very unexpected combination with spirituality and the modern Olympic
jumping trampolines, the largest in Europe! There is also an unusual museum where
you can learn how to make special Einsiedeln Schafböcke (holy biscuits), as well as a
huge cheese factory, where you can observe how "Black Madonna" cheese and Abbey
cheeses are produced. All this adds to a special feeling.

You'll need a full day there, and you can manage to make this trip by train leaving early
and returning late (3,5 hours one way). This will give you 7 to 8 hours on site, sufficient
for the first acquaintance with the Abbey and its surroundings, and perhaps even to
enjoy a good meal of Einsiedeln specialties on one of the terraces overlooking the
Abbey square.

I read that it is very beautiful around Christmas, with candles and markets in this
square, and snow all around, I was there in spring, summer and late autumn, and it is
beautiful no matter the season and no matter the weather.

It is just extremely nice to come back to this place. Especially when you make your first
acquaintance with the Black Madonna, you will definitely want to come back to see her.
Mystery of the place, serenity, feeling of healing and renewal, strength and protection,
all this will call you to return to this magical place again and again!

AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 83 No.2, 2024-09 67

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