Saint George's Abbey, Längsee

Saint George's Abbey, Längsee (German: Stift St. Georgen) is a historic monastic complex in the village of Sankt Georgen am Längsee, Carinthia, Austria. Founded between 1002 and 1008 by Countess Wichburg, wife of Count Ottwin von Sonnenburg of Pustertal, it began as a Benedictine nunnery and celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in 2003. The founder's daughter Hildpurg became the first abbess, bringing the first nuns from the Nonnberg Benedictine abbey in Salzburg. The convent was reformed in the 12th century and placed under the direction of Abbot Wolford of Admont Abbey in 1122, later returning to Salzburg's suzerainty from the 1170s. Over the centuries it faced economic difficulties and was reduced to just three nuns during the Protestant Reformation before recovering with support from Göss Abbey. By 1683 it housed 31 nuns and 16 lay sisters, ran an apothecary, cared for up to 500 invalids annually, and operated a school. In 1783 Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery; it was auctioned in 1788 and bought by Maximilian Thaddäus von Egger, who made it the seat of the Count of Egger. The castle opened to tourists around the end of the 18th century. In 1934 it was sold to the Missionary Order of Mariannhill, served as a seminary for Gurk during World War II, became a military hospital in 1943, and was returned to the Marianhillers in 1948. In 1959 the Diocese of Gurk purchased it for use as an Episcopal educational establishment. Today the former Benedictine nunnery includes a church with regular services, an educational establishment run by the diocese, a hotel and seminar facilities. The convent and church, with its crypt, are built on stone foundations dating back to Roman times; the north-west wing was built in 1546, and the monastery was remodelled in baroque style by architect Pietro Francesco Carlone between 1654 and 1658. The impressive high altar probably dates from the late 17th century, and parts of the original buildings and Renaissance arcades in the northern courtyard have been preserved.

The monastery, a nunnery, was founded between 1002 and 1008 by the Countess Wichburg, the wife of Count Ottwin von Sonnenburg of Pustertal. Wichburg was the sister of Archbishop Hartwig. The founder's daughter Hildpurg, a nun in the Nonnberg Benedictine abbey in Salzburg, was blessed as the first abbess and brought the first nuns with her. Count Ottwin and Countess Wichburg were entombed in the crypt of the convent. In the 12th century the convent was reformed. It was placed under the direction of the abbot Wolford of Admont Abbey in 1122. From the 1170s the convent returned to the suzerainty of Salzburg. There is a record of Ulrich II, Duke of Carinthia making a donation to the monastery on 31 March 1199. The nunnery suffered economic difficulties and had difficulty paying taxes to support the Turkish wars. At one point during the Protestant Reformation the community was reduced to the abbess Dorothea Rumpf and two other nuns. They later received support from Göss Abbey, including the Abbess Afra von Staudach (1562), which helped renew the community. By 1683 the nunnery had 31 nuns and 16 lay sisters. It had an apothecary and cared for as many as 500 invalids each year. The convent also ran a school. In 1783 the monastery was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II. In 1788 it was put up for auction. Maximilian Thaddäus von Egger bought it for 163,100 gulden and made the monastery complex the new seat of the Count of Egger. The castle was opened to tourists around the end of the 18th century. In 1934 it was sold to the Missionary Order of Mariannhill. During World War II (1939–45) it served for a while as the seminary of Gurk, then was converted into a military hospital in 1943. The Marianhillers took the building back in 1948. In 1959 it was purchased by the Diocese of Gurk for use as an Episcopal educational establishment. Today the former Benedictine nunnery includes a church where services are still held, an educational establishment run by the diocese, a hotel and seminar facilities.

• 2003

  Celebrated its 1,000th anniversary.

• 1959

  Purchased by the Diocese of Gurk for use as an Episcopal educational establishment.

• 1948

  Returned to the Marianhillers.

• 1943

  Converted into a military hospital during World War II.

• 1934

  Sold to the Missionary Order of Mariannhill.

• 1788

  Auctioned; bought by Maximilian Thaddäus von Egger for 163,100 gulden.

• 1783

  Dissolved by Emperor Joseph II.

• 1683

  Community numbered 31 nuns and 16 lay sisters; ran an apothecary and school.

• 1562

  Received support from Göss Abbey under Abbess Afra von Staudach.

• Founded as a Benedictine nunnery by Countess Wichburg.

• Founding period completed.

• Placed under the direction of Abbot Wolford of Admont Abbey.

• Returned to the suzerainty of Salzburg.

• Ulrich II, Duke of Carinthia, made a donation on 31 March.

Historic monastic complex combining religious, educational and hospitality functions.

Product categories. Church services · Educational programmes · Hotel accommodation · Seminar and event facilities

1. 1Saint George's Abbey, Längsee - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Saint George's Abbey, Längsee - Wikidatawikidata.org