Description of the attraction
St. Florian's Monastery is one of the most famous and oldest monasteries in Austria. Located near Linz.
The monastery, named after St. Florian, was founded by the Carolingians in 1071 by Augustinian monks. From 1686 to 1708, the monastery underwent a major reconstruction under the direction of the architect Carlo Antonio Carlone. It is for its unique baroque appearance that the monastery of St. Florian is considered a world masterpiece.
After the death of Carlo Antonio Carlone, Jacob Prandtauer continued his work. As a result, the monastery became the largest among the Baroque buildings in Upper Austria. The frescoes were created by Bartolomeo Altomonte.
The construction of the library was started only in 1744 by Johann Gotthard Hauberger. Currently, the collection numbers about 130 thousand books, including many ancient manuscripts and incunabula.
In January 1941, the monastery property was confiscated by the Nazis, and all the monks were expelled. Since 1942, it has been the headquarters of Radio of the Third Reich under the leadership of Heinrich Glasmeier. The monks were able to return only after the end of World War II.
The monastery of St. Florian is also famous for its boys' choir, founded in 1071. This choir has been part of traditional monastic worship since its inception. It still exists but currently hosts successful concerts and international tours.
The monastery church is decorated with old stained-glass windows, columns of pink Salzburg marble, a pulpit and an altarpiece of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In the courtyard of the monastery, the Eagle Well, built in 1603, has been preserved. Interesting to see are the library rooms, decorated with ceiling paintings by Altomonte, the Marble Hall and the grand staircase leading to the imperial apartments, designed by Jacob Prandtauer, Anton Bruckner's rooms, as well as an art gallery.
