Steinfeld Abbey
Steinfeld Abbey (Kloster Steinfeld) is a former
History
The origins of the site go back to about 920. The first monastic settlement at Steinfeld took place in about 1070, and the Premonstratensians settled here in 1130. It became an important monastery in the German Empire, and established a number of daughter houses across Europe, including Strahov Abbey in Prague. It was raised to the status of an abbey in 1184.
In 1802, Steinfeld Abbey was secularised. The basilica was put to use as a parish church, while the conventual buildings were used for a number of secular purposes until 1923, when the Salvatorians acquired them.
Basilica
The basilica, formerly the abbey church, was built between 1142 and 1150 by the Premonstratensians as one of the earliest vaulted churches in Germany. The present structure includes features from a number of periods and styles, from the original Romanesque style through Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque up to modern stainless steel elements.
The church received the status of a papal
The basilica contains the tomb of
König Organ
The basilica also contains the well-known König-Orgel, one of the most significant church organs of the Rhineland Baroque period. It was built around 1600, with additions in 1680, 1727 and 1934. It was taken out of service in 1977. In 1981, the organ was thoroughly restored by the firm Josef Weimbs Orgelbau from Hellenthal. It is composed of 1,956 pipes and 35 registers; the original pipework is still largely intact.
Cloister glass
The original Romanesque
While at Ashridge the glass was catalogued by M. R. James, who identified it as originating from Steinfeld, on which he based the short story "The Treasure of Abbot Thomas".
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Stained glass window by Gerhard Remisch. Now exhibited at Victoria and Albert Museum
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Stained glass window by Gerhard Remisch
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Stained glass window by Gerhard Remisch
School
The monastery complex now includes a gymnasium, "Hermann-Josef-Kolleg Steinfeld", established in 1924.
Literature
Steinfeld Abbey is the location of the
References
- Reinartz, N., n.d.: Die Alten Glasgemälde im Kreuzgang der Prämonstratenser-Abtei Steinfeld in der Eifel und ihre Stifter, in: Wilhelm Neuss (ed.), Die Glasmalereien aus dem Steinfelder Kreuzgang, 1955
External links
- Official website (in German)
- Media related to Kloster Steinfeld at Wikimedia Commons