VORAU

Situated among the forests of the Wechsel, it has fulfilled from its beginnings great tasks of civilizing work. Founded by Margrave Ottokar III of Styria by vow after the birth of his heir, in 1163, it was confirmed by Conrad II, Archbishop of Salzburg, in 1168 and by Alexander III in 1170. At the outset the canons made use of the parish church, but after the fire of 1237 they built the abbey church, consecrated in 1257 and completed ca. 1300. Between 1660 and 1662, however, the church was entirely rebuilt in Baroque style, and between 1700 and 1704 it was frescoed and decorated with stuccowork (J. C. Hackhofer, M. Steinl); it is the finest example of Styrian Baroque. The monastic buildings were also rebuilt at that time, partly ca. 1625, and the prelature in 1692–94 and 1725–33. Notable are the Library, the refectory, and the imperial halls, all frescoed and adorned with stuccowork (Hackhofer, Steinl, J. C. Mavr). The great restorers were the provosts (abbots) M. Singer (1649–62) and especially F. Leisl (1691–1717). The Library contains ca. 35,000 volumes, 220 incunabula, and 416 manuscripts, including some of great value. In recent times the canon Ottocar Kernstock (1848–1928), parish priest of Festenburg and esteemed poet, brought it great renown. The monastery has 8 incorporated parishes and continues in its traditions of sacred and profane culture.