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

At 1107-08, the monastery was given for the creation of a Benedictine Abbey, after gaining independence in the year 1111. Berthold, another former priest of the Abbey, became the first Abbot established a Benedictine monastery Garsten. Built later the Church became one of the most beautiful structures in the high Baroque throughout Austria. Berthold led the Abbey DL 1142 of the year, making it the religious and cultural centre of the region. During this period, was founded several parishes. After his death, Berthold was buried in the Church of the monastery.

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

Since 1851 in the former buildings of the monastery housed a prison. This is one of the few Austrian prisons where they are serving the punishment of offenders who received a life sentence. In prison currently houses 300 prisoners. Of them, according to the 2007 141 the offender (34, 39% of the total) are not Austrian citizens. In prison about 20 dangerous criminals who are in custody 24 hours a day.

The Church of the monastery still survives as the parish Church. It was built by the architect Carlone, is considered one of the most beautiful structures of the high Baroque in Austria. Especially notable are the stucco work and Dutch tapestries. Chapel with beautiful variations is also of great interest.