The world-famous Admont Abbey Library is located in the east wing of the Abbey building. It is accessible via the museum on the first floor of the south wing. With a length of 70 m, a width of 14 m and a height of 11 m (12.7 m in the central dome), this room is the largest monastic library hall in the world.
The eighth Wonder of the World ‒ Admont Abbey library
In the past, this hall was sometimes referred to as the ‘eighth Wonder of the World’. The interplay of its vast dimensions, its architectural structure, its book holdings and artistic decoration has taken away the breath of visitors since its creation.
>It was formerly (but erroneously) stated in older reference works that its architect was Gotthard Hayberger, a native of the town of Steyr. However, subsequent research showed that it was planned and its construction was supervised by Josef Hueber, an architect born in Vienna who was principally active in Styria. He used the magnificent Imperial Library completed in 1726 (now the Austrian National Library) in Vienna as his model.
Hueber divided the space in Admont into three compartments consisting of a central cupola room in the shape of an elongated oval and two connected wings on either side. Both of the side chambers have three bays, each with an elongated vault ceiling. Hence this extraordinary space is covered by a total of seven cupolas. Its height extends for two storeys and light is provided by 48 windows.
The ceiling of the central cupola room is supported by twelve pillars made of a reddish marble that emphasize the vertical dimension. This room has no gallery to ensure that the attention of the observer is automatically drawn to the fresco of the central cupola that is at the core of the library’s design concept. Its theme is Divine Revelation, represented by a personification of Divine Wisdom.
Galleries mounted on brackets follow the walls of the two long side wings. This further underlines the two-storey height but also tends to make the cupolas appear less elevated. The two-storey book cases further accentuate the effect of the spaces. The cases in the corners of these rooms are curved. This structural concept, which seems to anticipate the later Empire style, results in 12 of the potential total of 60 windows being covered. Concealed behind each of the two inner corner cases of the side wings, there are spiral staircases ‒ four in number ‒ that lead up to the library galleries.
The "secret" doors of Admont library
A homogeneous architectural effect is achieved by using remarkably life-like dummy book spines ‒ faux books ‒ to cover what are not immediately recognisable as doors. Visitors like to call these the ‘secret doors’ of Admont library.
The plans for the library hall at Admont were originally drawn up in 1765 and the construction work was probably completed by 1773. The result was that the internal design of this space differs extensively from that of older book rooms and other monastic libraries built in the 18th century. This is particularly apparent in the case of the colour and lighting schemes. Sufficient brightness is provided by the numerous windows. Instead of being finished in brown tones, as was the case in earlier libraries, the bookcases at Admont are painted in white with delicate gold decorations. While being consistent with Rococo taste this also reflects the concepts of the intellectual outlook of the period: the era of the Enlightenment.
The plans for the library hall at Admont were originally drawn up in 1765 and the construction work was probably completed by 1773. The result was that the internal design of this space differs extensively from that of older book rooms and other monastic libraries built in the 18th century. This is particularly apparent in the case of the colour and lighting schemes. Sufficient brightness is provided by the numerous windows. Instead of being finished in brown tones, as was the case in earlier libraries, the bookcases at Admont are painted in white with delicate gold decorations. While being consistent with Rococo taste this also reflects the concepts of the intellectual outlook of the period: the era of the Enlightenment.
