Austria is the land of music culture and beautiful nature. The legacy of the imperial era has created so many places worth seeing around Vienna that day trips to the region are well worthwhile. A very special tip is the Benedictine monastery of Admont: it is almost 1000 years old and is home to the world’s largest monastery library. We’ll tell you what you need to know about this moving place.
A monastery at the center of Austria
The Benedictine monastery of Admont is the oldest existing monastery in Styria and was founded in 1074 by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg. The foundation goes back to a donation by St. Hemma of Gurk, whose goods form the basis of the monastery. There was also a well-known founding legend: According to this, the monastery was actually supposed to be built on the north side of the River Enns, but due to the risk of flooding, it was moved to the safe south side.
When it was founded, the monastery was not only a religious center, but also became a cultural and scientific center in the southern German-Austrian region in the Middle Ages. A writing school and the scriptorium, which produced unique manuscripts, were established here. Abbot Engelbert von Admont (1297-1327) became known as a versatile scholar and left behind over 40 works.
The Benedictine monastery also made a name for itself from a feminist perspective: As early as 1120, a women’s monastery was affiliated according to the Benedictine rule, which was famous for its educated nuns and existed until the Reformation.
An eighth wonder of the world: the famous library
The Abbey Library of Admont is considered the largest monastic book room in the world and is often referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world”. It houses over 200,000 books, including 1,400 manuscripts and 530 incunabula. The library hall is a late Baroque masterpiece with seven domes and 48 windows. The sculptures by Josef Stammel, including the famous “Four Last Things”, are particularly impressive.
The fact that we can still visit this famous library today is pure luck: in 1865, a major fire destroyed almost the entire monastery complex, but the magnificent library hall was miraculously spared. The Benedictine monastery also experienced dark times during the Nazi era. The monastery was expropriated in 1939 and confiscated by the National Socialists as “property hostile to the people and the state”. Only when the war ended did the monks return in 1945.
Present day and cultural significance
Admont Abbey is still active today: the monastery has repeatedly opened up to the spirit of the times and is an internationally relevant center for spirituality, culture and business. Not only can you visit the magnificent library, but since 2003 you can also find a large museum there. This exhibits art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The Admont Abbey Museum also offers several exhibitions: There are natural history museums, art and history museums, as well as changing special exhibitions on contemporary art. The monastery park and the late Gothic collegiate church are also worth a visit. Take part in guided tours on history and spirituality and discover this important cultural heritage. The entire complex is suitable for children and barrier-free. Opening hours are daily (except Monday) from 10 am to 5 pm.