Weltenburg Abbey

Weltenburg Abbey (Kloster Weltenburg) is a Benedictine monastery in Weltenburg near Kelheim on the Danube in Bavaria, Germany.

Weltenburg Abbey seen from the river
Weltenburg Abbey, beer garden
Weltenburg Abbey
Kloster Weltenburg
Weltenburg Abbey as seen across the Danube
Location within Germany
Monastery information
OrderBenedictines
Established7th century, 1842
Disestablished1803
Dedicated toSaint George
Architecture
StyleBaroque
Site
LocationWeltenburg, Kelheim, Germany
Coordinates48°53′56″N 11°49′11″E
Public accesspartial

Geography

The abbey is situated on a peninsula in the Danube, on the so-called "Weltenburg Narrows" or the "Danube Gorge".

History

Already by around 45 AD the area of Weltenburg was the starting point of the Via iuxta Danuvium[1] the Roman military and border road which followed the south bank of the Danube upstream to Brigobannis, the limes fort near Hüfingen. For a long time this road was the most important east-west route north of the Alps. At Mertingen (Sumuntorium) this route intercepted the Via Claudia Augusta from northern Italy. Above the monastery on the Frauenberg there was already a settlement in prehistoric times. Archaeological finds and excavations suggest that a Roman military station was constructed there.

First foundation

According to tradition, the abbey was founded in 617 in the course of the Hiberno-Scottish mission by Agilus and Eustace of Luxeuil, two monks of Luxeuil Abbey, which had been founded by Saint Columbanus.[2]:3[3] It is believed to be the oldest monastery in Bavaria.

Reportedly during the first half of the 8th century, the abbey adopted the rules of the Benedictine order and was supported by Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria.[2]:4,30

By 932 at the latest, the abbey was under control of the Bishop of Regensburg. Wolfgang of Regensburg had a residence built on the Frauenberg above today's abbey. The abbey church (replaced in 1716) was consecrated in 1191, a single nave building with a crypt. Under abbot Konrad V (1441-50), the church, abbey buildings were renovated and life in the abbey reformed.[2]:4

It was not until the 18th century, that Weltenburg Abbey rose to prominence under abbot Maurus Bächl (1713-43). To his period date the current monastery courtyard with its Baroque buildings, the highlight of which is the abbey church, dedicated to Saint George, which was built by the Asam Brothers between 1716 and 1739.[2]:4

Following a confiscation of the abbey's silver and a ban on accepting novices, the abbey was officially dissolved on 18 March 1803 during the secularization of Bavaria. The abbey brewery and other manufacturing buildings found buyers, but the church and convent could not be sold. In 1812, they became the parish house, school, teacher house and parish church for Weltenburg village.[2]:4

Second foundation

On the initiative of King Ludwig I, Weltenburg was re-founded as a priory of Metten Abbey on 25 August 1842. It renovated the convent and repurchased other properties, including the brewery. It has been a member of the Bavarian Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation since 1858 and was raised to the status of an independent abbey in 1913.[2]:4

The chapel underwent extensive restoration from 1999-2008 at a cost of around 6.5 million euro. In addition, the convent was renovated and the abbey fitted with flood protection.[2]:5

Today
Main altar showing St. George

Abbey

Besides the traditional duties of hospitality, the abbey has pastoral responsibility for two parishes. It is also active in farming and in adult education. It hosts conferences and lectures as well as concerts.[2]:5

The abbey is open to the public, except for the part reserved for the monks.

Abbey brewery

Weltenburg Abbey brewery (Weltenburger Klosterbrauerei) is by some reckonings the oldest monastic brewery in the world, having been in operation since 1050,[2]:30 although the title is disputed by Weihenstephan Abbey. Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel was given the World Beer Cup award in 2004, 2008 and 2012 as the best Dunkel beer in the world. One wing of the abbey which faces the Danube river houses a large restaurant on the ground floor operated by a tenant. The traditional Bavarian menu includes the abbey's cheese and beer, and guests are also served in the monastery courtyard, which houses a large open-air biergarten during the warmer months.

See also

References
  1. Nach der Inschrift CIL III, 5755: viam iuxta amnem Danuvium fieri iussit,
  2. Altmann, Lothar (2012). Benediktinerabtei Weltenburg an der Donau (German). Schnell & Steiner-Verlag, Regensburg. ISBN 978-3-7954-4248-4.
  3. Baus, Karl; Beck, Hans-Georg; Ewig, Eugen; Vogt, Hermann Josef; Biggs, Anselm (tr.) (1980). History of the Church: The imperial church from Constantine to the Early Middle Ages. London: Burns & Oates. p. 547.
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