Description of the attraction
Göttweig is a Benedictine monastery located in the Austrian city of Fürth near Krems, on a hill south of the Danube in Lower Austria. In 2000, the Göttweig monastery was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
The monastery was founded by the Bishop of Passau, the main altar was consecrated in 1072, and the monastery itself in 1083. By 1094, discipline in the abbey had become so weak that the Bishop of Passau, with the permission of Pope Urban II, established the Rite of Saint Benedict here. Under Hartmann from the Black Forest he was elected abbot. He brought with him several selected monks, among whom were Blessed Virnto and Berthold. Under Hartmann (1094-1114) he became famous for his strict adherence to the monastic lifestyle. He founded a monastic school, organized a library, built the monastery itself at the foot of the hill.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the abbey gradually emptied, and since 1564 not a single monk remained in the monastery. Soon a monk from Melk named Michael Herrlich came to Göttweig, who completely restored the monastery spiritually and materially.
In 1718, the monastery was completely burnt down as a result of a terrible fire, but was rebuilt according to the designs of Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. The imperial staircase that appeared after the restoration, decorated with allegorical sculptures for 12 months, is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Austria. A fresco by Paul Troger, depicting the glorification of Emperor Karl VI, has been preserved in the interior of the monastery.
The monastery has a rich library of 130,000 books and manuscripts, engravings, and valuable coins. In addition, there is a rich collection of paintings and sculptures that are interesting to see. And you can dine in the monastery restaurant, which offers a magnificent view.
