There were treasures from the library, archive and collections that had never been on display before, which shed light on difficult periods as well as the monastery's heyday. "Our house has not only experienced high periods," as Abbot Gerhard Hafner emphasises, because "there have also been several episodes of decline and resignation in the 950 years. Nevertheless, our confreres have always picked themselves up again, trusting in God's help and support, and started again," says Abbot Gerhard Hafner. "Today we can proudly say that Admont Abbey is in a good position, which is why we can look to the future with confidence and pass on this great legacy to all future generations," says Franz Pichler, Director of Economic Affairs at Admont Abbey, emphasising the sustainable continued existence of the Benedictine abbey. The impressive exhibits also emphasise the scientific and cultural achievements of the abbey, which has always been a place of research and education.

Successful relaunch of several museum areas

In addition to a journey through the 950-year history of the monastery, visitors to the Abbey Museum can look forward to further highlights and innovations in the anniversary year. These include the new location and expansion of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This has been relocated from the upper floor to the ground floor, where it is embedded in the modern exhibition architecture. Together with the permanent exhibition "Mayer Collection", all art-historical holdings are now united on one floor and brought into a dialogue. This season, the Museum of Contemporary Art is showing a cross-section of the most recent part of the Abbey Museum's collection, which has been under construction since 1997. The first part of the exhibition focuses on Austrian painting from the 1980s onwards. The following sections are dedicated to various themes, such as life, death and resurrection. The focus is on "Made for Admont" commissioned art and the contemporary interpretation of medieval Madonnas. The multi-media rooms, which were designed in 2003 and focus on the life of the order's founder Benedictus of Nursia, have been relaunched. The revision of "The Way of St Benedict" required not only a partial re-cut and the addition of film material, but also an architectural change. Two measures that now convey a new, even more attractive spatial ambience.

New signage system in the museum and outdoor area

As the Abbey Museum has already been able to steadily increase its visitor numbers in recent years, it is now expecting to break the 70,000 visitor mark soon. A goal for which the Benedictine Abbey is well prepared, as the newly installed signage system in the Abbey Museum and the outdoor area shows. The newly opened special exhibition "Admont 1074 - A journey through the abbey's history" is likely to attract numerous interested visitors this museum season, who will now be guided to all publicly accessible buildings and gardens by informative site plans and signposts across the entire site.

Photos: © Sabine Breitfuss

Statements by the guests of honour on 19 March 2024

Federal Minister Dr Martin Polaschek
"For 950 years, Admont Abbey has not only been educating young people, but also shaping their attitudes and actions in the spirit of Christian charity. It inspires not only with its cultural treasures, but also with an impressive library containing over 70,000 books and writings. In short - the monastery and the adjoining school complex was, is and will remain a successful project. Here's to another successful 950 years!"

Governor Christopher Drexler
"Admont Abbey and its monks have characterised the history of Styria for centuries. And this goes far beyond faith. Admont Abbey is an important employer and business enterprise for the region and the whole of Styria, highly committed to social issues, healthcare and education and, last but not least, is also a cultural centre of great importance. Just think of the Abbey Library - a world-famous work of art. I would like to congratulate them on their 950th anniversary and thank Abbot Gerhard Hafner and the monks of the abbey for their important social work."

Provincial Councillor Ursula Lackner standing in for Deputy Governor Anton Lang
"With this special exhibition, Admont Abbey impressively demonstrates that it is a living place that is constantly evolving without losing its roots. The careful selection of exhibits, the expansion and redesign of the museum areas and the integration of modern art and media technology are testimony to the fact that it actively participates in the cultural and intellectual life of the present and opens up new perspectives."