The Story of Admont Abbey
Admont Abbey was founded in 1074 by the Archbishop of Salzburg, and the first monks who lived there were also from Salzburg. The monastery quickly became a vital Christian center for education and knowledge in the entire region.
A writing school operated on the premises, which became a cultural and spiritual center during the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, a convent for nuns was added to the structure and was also very successful, but it ceased to exist during the Reformation. In the 17th century, a high school and an embroidery school were established in the monastery. The monks engaged in creation and writing, producing wonderful works, some of which are displayed throughout the library hall.
In 1865, a terrible tragedy occurred when a large fire broke out in the monastery, destroying almost all of it. Only the ancient library was preserved. The renovation work took a long time, and in fact, only part of the monastery was rebuilt. For example, the monastery’s church was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style on the foundations of the old church that was destroyed. In fact, it is the first neo-Gothic church in Austria.
Early 20th Century until today
In the early 20th century, during the great economic crisis, the members of the monastery were forced to sell valuable art objects to keep it active. During the Nazi era, the monks were expelled from the monastery, and it came under the control of the regime. Only after the war could they return and continue their work.
To this day, the monastery serves as a spiritual, cultural, and economic center and is renowned and important worldwide. The monastery is responsible for 26 parishes, a hospital, a high school, and various local companies that employ no fewer than 500 workers!
Many travelers passing through the area make a special stop in the town to be impressed by the monastery and its unique library.
The Largest Monastic Library in the World
The library hall in this monastery is something you don’t see every day – walls adorned with ancient statues, a meticulously illustrated ceiling, and overflowing bookshelves that reach the high ceiling. This is the true treasure of the monastery – a treasure of knowledge and antiquity.
The hall was completed towards the end of the 18th century and was built by the renowned architect Josef Hueber, whose style was influenced by the Enlightenment movement, which was at the center of the philosophical and spiritual world at that time. A key example of this is the seven impressive ceiling paintings depicting central elements of the Enlightenment, such as human reason and its path to divine revelation.
The many books in the hall are divided into dedicated areas: at the front of the room are many editions of the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. On the north side are books on theology, and on the south side are books on a variety of subjects grouped together. In total, there are 70,000 books in the library itself and about 200,000 books in the entire monastery. About 1,400 manuscripts in the library were written as early as the 8th century AD.
Scattered throughout the hall are several statues symbolizing the “Four Last Things,” representing the themes: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. These statues provide a certain contrast to the overall design of the hall.
Please note: You can visit the library without a guide as part of your visit to the monastery. During the summer months, there is an option to join a 40-minute tour as part of the visit, at no extra charge.
This is what the impressive monastery looks like
Museums in Admont Abbey
Besides the library, the monastery houses 4 museums dedicated to art and the natural world. As part of your visit to the monastery, you can enter the following museums:
- The Gothic Museum: The exhibition includes a variety of sculptures, paintings, and sacred objects from the Middle Ages.
- Museum of Fine Arts: A broad collection of sculptures, paintings, textiles, and other sacred objects from the Romanesque and Rococo periods.
- Museum of Modern Art: This museum has an extensive collection of about 1,500 works by approximately 160 artists who lived in Austria from the mid-20th century to the present day.
- Natural History Museum: The insect collection in this museum is exceptional on a European scale. No fewer than 50,000 different insects are displayed. The museum’s total collection consists of 252,000 items collected over centuries. The exhibits in the museum are not live; they are taxidermied animals, from mammals to small reptiles. Additionally, there is an entire area dedicated to artificial fruits made of wax, which look exactly like real fruits.
Additional Essential Information for Visiting Admont Abbey
Opening Hours:
- Mid-December to March 19: Closed.
- March 20 to May, October to early December: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
- June – September: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Cost (includes visit to the library and museums):
- Adult: €19.50
- Senior: €18
- Student, Child (6-15): €13.50
- Person with a disability: €15.50 for an adult, €11.50 for a child.
- Family (2 parents + 2 children): €42.
- Accessibility: The old library is fully accessible.
Official Website
Address: Kirchplatz 1, 8911 Admont
Map:
After visiting the monastery and the ancient library, it is worthwhile to continue into the Gesäuse National Park. This is a spectacular nature park with many charming nature trails.
