Description of the attraction
Millstatt Monastery is a former monastery located in Millstatt am See in the federal state of Carinthia. It was founded in 1070 and has been the spiritual and cultural center of Carinthia for centuries.
Millstatt was founded by brothers Aribo II and Potto from the Bavarian Aribonid family. The abbey flourished under the patronage of Pope Calixtus II, and in 1245 the abbot of Millstatt even received the right to tailor papal vestments from the Archbishop of Salzburg. The brightest period in the development of the monastery fell on Abbot Otto III. During this period, many valuable manuscripts were written, countless foundations made impressive donations to the monastery.
In 1274, Millstatt was destroyed by fire, the restoration was carried out by Abbot Otto IV, work was carried out until 1291.
Under Emperor Frederick, the monastery fell into decay: morality degenerated, buildings gradually collapsed, and the abbots were incompetent. It was necessary to cope with the huge debts of the monastery and put in order the abandoned buildings. In addition, Millstatt was severely devastated by the Turks in 1478, and later by the Hungarian troops in 1487. The management of the monastery passed to Maximilian I, however, the situation was difficult, control was partially lost. Peasant uprisings and the spread of the Protestant faith took place in Millstatt.
In 1598, under Archduke Ferdinand II, the Jesuits created a college in the capital of Styria (modern University of Graz), which Millstatt was supposed to finance from its income. The monks did not like the harshness and pressure of the Jesuits. In 1737, discontent escalated into an open revolt, when many peasants took up arms and broke into the monastery. In 1773, the monks were forced to leave Millstatt, and all possessions were transferred to state administration.
The most interesting part of the monastery is the courtyard with two-storey Renaissance arches, built in the 16th century. The monastery is connected with the church by a covered gallery of the 12th century, decorated with columns with images of animals, plants and people. The Romanesque portal inside the church was created in 1170 by the master Rudger. In the side chapels of the church are the gravestones of the masters of the Order of St. George, to whom the monastery once belonged.
Since 1977, the church has been owned by the local parish, and all other buildings of the former monastery belong to the Austrian State Forestry Commission.
