Steinfeld Abbey

Steinfeld Abbey

Steinfeld Abbey ("Kloster Steinfeld") is a former Premonstratensian monastery, now a Salvatorian convent, with an important basilica, in Steinfeld in Kall, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

History

The origins of the site go back to about 920, but 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. Steinfeld 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 basilica minor in 1960. It comprises altogether eight bays and six chapels, including Saint Stephen's Chapel and Saint Ursula's Chapel.

The basilica contains the tomb of Hermann Joseph of Steinfeld, a popular Premonstratensian saint, situated in the middle of the church and covered with a slab and a recumbent figure of alabaster, carved in 1732. This has become a pilgrimage destination. By custom apples are left here, in reference to a legend that Hermann once offered an apple to the Christ Child in the arms of the Madonna in the church of St. Maria im Kapitol at Cologne - who took it.

King Organ

The basilica also contains the well-known "König-Orgel" ("King Organ"), one of the most significant church organs of the Rhineland Baroque period. It was built in about 1600, with additions in 1680, 1727 and 1934. It was taken out of service in 1977 and in 1981 was thoroughly restored by the firm Josef Weimbs Orgelbau from Hellenthal. It comprises 1956 pipes and 35 registers; the original pipework is still largely intact.

Cloister glass

The original Romanesque cloister was replaced between 1492 and 1517 by a Gothic one. After the dissolution in 1802 the stained glass windows, made between 1526 and 1557, were sold by a local dealer to a compatriot in Norwich in England. Some panels found their way to village churches in East Anglia, but the majority reached Lord Brownlow's collection at Ashridge Park, from where they were purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Two panels are now in Steinfeld again.

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".

chool

The monastery complex now includes a "Gymnasium", "Hermann-Josef-Kolleg Steinfeld", established in 1924.

External links

* [http://www.kloster-steinfeld.de/ Steinfeld Abbey website] de icon

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


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Abbey of Strahov —     Abbey of Strahov     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Abbey of Strahov     A Premonstratensian abbey at Prague, Bohemia, founded in 1149 by Bishop Henry Zdik of Olmütz, Bishop John of Prague, and Prince Ladislaus II. A colony of monks from Steinfeld …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Børglum Abbey — was an important Premonstratensian abbey of medieval Denmark, located in Børglum parish, in the commune of Hjørring, approximately five kilometers east of Løkken in north central Jutland (Region Nordjylland).History Origin Børglum Abbey was… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Christian religious houses in North Rhine-Westphalia — This is a list of Christian religious houses, both for men and for women, whether or not still in operation, in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Most religious houses survived the Reformation, although many nunneries did so by becoming Lutheran… …   Wikipedia

  • Ancient See of Børglum — Børglum Abbey, featured on the coat of arms of the former Børglum Herred The ancient bishopric of Børglum, sometimes also known as the bishopric of Vendsyssel, seated latterly at Børglum in Denmark, comprised the ancient districts of Vendsyssel… …   Wikipedia

  • Ostsiedlung — This article is about the medieval eastward migrations of Germans. For a general view, see History of German settlement in Eastern Europe. History of Germany …   Wikipedia

  • Hermann Joseph — (b. at Cologne about 1150; d. at Hoven, 7 April1241) was a German Premonstratensian monk and mystic. He was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1958.LifeAccording to the biography by Razo Bonvisinus, contemporary prior of Steinfeld Abbey ( Acta… …   Wikipedia

  • St Mark's Church, Bristol — St Mark s Church, west front, remodelled in 1830 1889. The south aisle chapel is visible on the right side. St Mark s Church [1] is an ancient small church on the north east side of College Green, Bristol, England, built c. 1230. Better… …   Wikipedia

  • Liste der Klöster — Dies ist eine Liste von bestehenden und ehemaligen Klöstern, geordnet nach Ordensgemeinschaft und Land. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Listen von Klöstern 2 Katholisch 2.1 Antoniter 2.2 Augustiner Chorherren …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Liste von Abteien — Dies ist eine Liste von bestehenden und ehemaligen Klöstern, geordnet nach Ordensgemeinschaft und Land. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Listen von Klöstern 2 Katholisch 2.1 Antoniter 2.2 Augustiner Chorherren …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Liste von Klöstern — Die Liste von Klöstern ist eine Liste von bestehenden und ehemaligen Klöstern, geordnet nach Ordensgemeinschaft, Land und Ort. Die Liste ist nicht vollständig. Bei einem Neueintrag wird darum gebeten, Ort, Gründungs und Aufhebungsdaten sowie eine …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”