Altenburg Abbey

Altenburg Abbey, known in German as Stift Altenburg, is a historic Benedictine monastery situated in Altenburg, Lower Austria, approximately 30 kilometers north of Krems an der Donau within the Waldviertel region. Its origins trace back to 1144 when it was founded by Countess Hildeburg of Poigen-Rebgau.

History and Reconstruction

The abbey has a long and often turbulent history, marked by numerous invasions and destructions. Notable attacks occurred in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, and the Swedes significantly damaged it in 1645. Despite facing near dissolution under Emperor Joseph II in 1793, when it was forbidden to accept new novices, Altenburg Abbey managed to remain functional. The abbey's current Baroque appearance is largely the result of an extensive reconstruction and modernization effort in the 18th century. This transformation was overseen by abbots Maurus Boxler and Placidus Much, with architect Josef Munggenast leading the project and collaborating with renowned Austrian artists such as Paul Troger for frescoes, Franz Josef Holzinger for stucco work, and Johann Georg Hoppl for marbling. The resulting Baroque structure is considered one of the finest in Austria, replacing the earlier Romanesque abbey.

During the 20th century, the abbey faced further challenges. On March 12, 1938, Abbot Ambros Minarz refused to fly the Nazi Swastika flag, leading to its occupation by the Sturmabteilung. Between 1940 and 1941, under the National Socialists, the abbey was suspended and subsequently dissolved, with the abbot arrested and the community dispossessed. Following World War II, the premises were used by Soviet occupying troops. Restoration and re-establishment of the monastic community began under Abbot Maurus Knappek in 1947.

Architectural Significance and Features

The abbey complex covers a substantial area and showcases a blend of Baroque and Rococo architectural styles in its interiors. Key areas of interest include the grand library, the imperial staircase, and the marble hall, all celebrated for their vibrant frescoes painted by Paul Troger. The library itself, built in 1740, is an imposing three-story room adorned with Troger's ceiling frescoes, depicting scenes such as "The Judgment of Solomon." Beneath the library lies a crypt decorated with frescoes, including the striking "Dance of Death." The oval-shaped abbey church, renovated in the early 18th century, features a dome also decorated with Troger frescoes and an altarpiece depicting the Assumption of Mary.

Archeological Discoveries and Gardens

Excavations, particularly within the chapel area, have uncovered evidence of a medieval "monastery beneath the monastery." These findings include the remains of a refectory, chapter house, living quarters, a cloister, a scriptorium, and a Gothic St. Vitus Chapel, providing a fascinating glimpse into the abbey's earlier existence.

In recent years, the grounds surrounding the monastery have been developed into several distinct and beautifully maintained gardens. "Der Garten der Religionen" (The Garden of Religions) is the largest, dedicated to the world's five major religions. Other gardens include "Der Apothekergarten" (The Apothecary Garden), which revives the medieval tradition of medicinal herbs, "Der Schöpfungsgarten" (The Garden of Creation) with a theological theme, and "Der Garten der Stille" (The Garden of Tranquillity), a more recent natural landscape featuring sculptures by Eva Vorpagel-Redl. The simple "Der Kreuzganggarten" refers to the cloister garden.