Archive treasures in the spotlight: Admont Benedictine Abbey and the Vorau Sisters of Mary
On 9 June, the international archive community celebrates International Archives Day. The date commemorates the founding of the International Council on Archives (ICA), which was established in 1948 under the auspices of UNESCO. To mark the occasion, the Austrian Conference of Religious Orders is once again presenting two religious archives in short video portraits in 2026. This time, the focus is on the archives of the Vorau Sisters of Mary and the Benedictine Abbey of Admont.
Maximilian Schiefermüller, archivist, librarian and prior of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont, presents an extraordinary document from the abbey's archives. In the video, he explains the history of a so-called death roll from 1447, which was written on a parchment scroll and was used in the Middle Ages to publicise the death of members of the order or important personalities. It was delivered by specially commissioned messengers who travelled from monastery to monastery and spread the news in the religious communities. This rare document provides an impressive insight into the communication channels and culture of remembrance in medieval monasteries.
Photo: Fr Maximilian Schiefermüller presents a funerary rotel from the archive of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont. (c) ÖOK/rs
