St. Georgenberg-Fiecht Abbey
St. Georgenberg-Fiecht Abbey is a Benedictine monastery with a history stretching back to the 11th century, originally founded on the Georgenberg site. It relocated to Fiecht in 1708 due to fire damage and remained there until 2019, when the monks returned to a restored abbey at St. Georgenberg. The original site continues to be a significant place of pilgrimage.
Key Facts
- ›Founded as a Benedictine abbey in 1138 by Reginbert, Bishop of Brixen.
- ›Relocated to Fiecht in 1708 after a series of fires destroyed the original buildings.
- ›The abbey was suppressed by the Bavarian government in 1807 but restored in 1816.
- ›Impounded by the Gestapo between 1941 and 1945, with monks exiled.
- ›The monks returned to the restored St. Georgenberg site in the summer of 2019.
- ›St. Georgenberg has been a site of pilgrimage since around 1100.
Baroque, Romanesque
St. Georgenberg Pilgrimage Site, Lindenkirche, Hohe BrüCke, Wolfsklamm Gorge
Blessed Rathold of Aibling
Relocation From St. Georgenberg To Fiecht, Suppression By Bavarian Government, Restoration To Austrian Control, Impounded By Gestapo, Return To St. Georgenberg
About St. Georgenberg-Fiecht Abbey
St. Georgenberg-Fiecht Abbey is a significant Benedictine monastery in Tyrol, Austria, with a history marked by relocation and resilience. Traditionally founded as a hermitage in the mid-10th century and established as a Benedictine abbey in 1138, its original site on Georgenberg has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. The abbey faced devastating fires, leading to its move to Fiecht in the Inn valley in 1708, where new Baroque buildings were constructed. Despite periods of suppression and wartime disruption, the monastic community persisted.
History and Relocation
The origins of St. Georgenberg are linked to Blessed Rathold of Aibling, who is said to have established a hermitage on the Georgenberg around the mid-10th century. By the late 11th century, substantial donations suggest a well-established monastic presence. The official founding of the Benedictine abbey occurred in 1138 with a papal charter. A series of severe fires, particularly the one in 1705, necessitated the relocation of the abbey to Fiecht. The new conventual buildings and church at Fiecht, constructed between 1741 and 1781, are notable examples of Baroque architecture, featuring elaborate interiors by prominent artists.
Challenges and Restoration
The abbey's history is punctuated by challenges. In 1807, it was suppressed by the Bavarian government after Tyrol briefly passed to Bavaria, only to be restored in 1816 when Tyrol returned to Austrian rule. A major fire in 1868 damaged much of its art collection but largely spared the library. During World War II, from 1941 to 1945, the abbey was impounded by the Gestapo, and the monks were exiled. Following World War II, the abbey became part of the Ottilien Congregation.
Return to Georgenberg
In a significant development, the remaining monks decided in 2016 to return to the ancestral site of St. Georgenberg, which had continued to function as a pilgrimage destination. After renovations, the monks moved back to the mountain home in the summer of 2019, marking a full circle in the abbey's long history. The pilgrimage churches on Georgenberg, including the Baroque church dedicated to Saints George and James and the older Lindenkirche dedicated to Saint Mary, remain important spiritual sites. Access to the monastery is facilitated by the Hohe Brücke, and many pilgrims still ascend via the scenic Wolfsklamm gorge.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was St. Georgenberg Abbey founded?
The religious community at St. Georgenberg was officially established as a Benedictine abbey in 1138 by Reginbert, Bishop of Brixen. However, tradition suggests the site was first used as a hermitage around the middle of the 10th century.
Why did the monks move from St. Georgenberg to Fiecht?
A series of disastrous fires, the fourth occurring in 1705, destroyed the buildings at St. Georgenberg. This led to the decision to move the abbey to a new site at Fiecht in the Inn valley, where it became operational in 1708.
When did the monks return to St. Georgenberg?
In the summer of 2019, the monks returned to a restored abbey at St. Georgenberg. This followed a determination in June 2016 to move back to the original mountain site, which had remained a place of pilgrimage.
What are the main attractions at St. Georgenberg?
St. Georgenberg is a place of pilgrimage known for the veneration of Saint George, a Gothic Pietà sculpture from around 1415, and the reliquary of the Holy Blood. The Baroque church dedicated to Saints George and James was rebuilt after a fire in 1705.
Has the abbey always been operational?
The abbey has experienced periods of suppression and disruption. It was suppressed by the Bavarian government in 1807 and impounded by the Gestapo from 1941 to 1945, but it was restored after both these events.
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