Altenburg Abbey
Under Emperor Joseph II in 1793 the abbey was forbidden to accept new novices, but unlike many others in Austria it succeeded in remaining functional.
The abbey attained its present Baroque form under the direction of abbots Maurus Boxler and Placidus Much.
The modernization of the abbey was supervised by the architect Josef Munggenast with support from some of the most distinguished artists and craftsmen of Austria: Paul Troger on the frescoes, Franz Josef Holzinger on the stucco work, and Johann Georg Hoppl on the marbling.
Work was carried out under the supervision of the architect Josef Munggenast who was assisted by some of Austria's most distinguished artists and craftsmen: Paul Troger for the frescoes, Franz Josef Holzinger for the stucco work, and Johann Georg Hoppl for the marbling.
[2] Under Emperor Joseph II in 1793 the abbey was forbidden to accept new novices, but unlike many others in Austria it succeeded in remaining functional.
The finds include a refectory, a chapter house, the monks' working and living quarters, a cloister, a scriptorium, and a Gothic St. Vitus Chapel.
Outer Medieval Monastery>[8] The abbey displays a fusion of Baroque and Rococo stucco architectural styles in its interiors.
[7] The library, built in 1740, is of Baroque architectural elegance,[9] an imposing room that rises to three stories in height.
The library hall is 48 m (157 ft) long and its ceiling is decorated with frescoes crafted by Paul Troger.
[1] Beneath the library is a large crypt which is also decorated with many frescoes by unknown artists; one particular scene which is fierce in appearance is that of the Dance of Death.
They were all planted by the monks themselves with assistance from the Natur im Garten project as well as from nurseries in the area.
The garden now consists of five landscaped areas dedicated to the world's five main religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
It also has a large natural pond surrounded by a meadow full of wild flowers, a group of trees, and the old plum grove where the local livestock can be seen.
There are 11 stone sculptures by Eva Vorpagel-Redl that are fixed at strategic locations along paths which lead to the forest area.
