Mauerbach Charterhouse

Mauerbach Charterhouse, known in German as Kartause Mauerbach, is a significant former Carthusian monastery situated in Mauerbach, just outside Vienna, Austria. Its foundation dates back to 1314, established by Duke Frederick the Fair, who was later interred within its grounds. The monastery faced considerable hardship over the centuries, including destruction during the 1529 Siege of Vienna and damage from the 1590 earthquake. Despite these setbacks, it underwent extensive rebuilding and expansion, particularly in the Baroque style, throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

History and Dissolution

The charterhouse was initially settled by 12 monks from Seiz in Styria. Its strategic location and historical events meant it experienced periods of both growth and severe damage. The Ottoman assaults during the 1529 and 1683 sieges led to significant destruction, necessitating costly repairs and refurbishments that continued for decades. A pivotal moment in its history came in 1782 when Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery as part of his rationalization policies, deeming it "non-productive." Following its dissolution, the premises were repurposed, first for the care of the elderly and infirm, and later, after World War II, as emergency housing for the homeless.

Contemporary Use and Restoration

After a period of neglect and dereliction, the Austrian federal government acquired the complex in 1961. Since 1984, the Austrian Federal Monuments Office (Bundesdenkmalamt) has been engaged in a comprehensive restoration project. Today, the former charterhouse serves as the location for the Monuments Office's restoration workshops, preserving and studying Austria's historical heritage within its walls.