The origins of the Benedictine monastery of Mariastein lie in Beinwil in Solothurn. Here, at the northern foot of the Passwang, Abbot Esso founded a settlement with monks from the Hirsau reform monastery in the Black Forest around the year 1100. In 1648, Abbot Fintan Kieffer moved the monastery from Beinwil to Mariastein. In addition to caring for pilgrims, a monastery school was run at the new location. At the same time, the priests looked after the monastery parishes.
In 1798, the revolutionary period brought an end to the monastery and pilgrimage and the monks fled. The monastery's property was sold or leased.
In 1802, Abbot Hieronymus Brunner (1765-1804) bought the monastery back. His successor, Abbot Placidus Ackermann (1804-1841), had the buildings gradually renovated.
In 1874, the monastery was closed again as a result of the Kulturkampf. However, the state committed itself to maintaining the pilgrimage. The abbot and convent settled in Delle, France, and in 1906 they built a new home for themselves in Bregenz on Lake Constance with the St. Gallus monastery.
Driven out by the National Socialist regime in 1941, the monks returned to Mariastein as an asylum.
In 1971, the abbey was restored under civil law following a cantonal referendum. The complete renovation of the monastery complex was started and was happily completed with the renovation of the church in 1999/2000.