Franciscan Monastery Schwaz

The Franciscan Monastery Schwaz is a Franciscan (OFM) monastery in Schwaz, Tyrol, Austria. The monastery was established between 1507 and 1515 at the request of the local mining owners and inhabitants.A portion of the monastery is substantially older.It was handed to the Franciscans together with the garden that belonged to Johannes Fieger.They incorporated it into the new monastery structure.In 1735 and 1925, more additions were made. The monastery garden was significantly expanded after a portion of the Egerdachfeld was purchased in 1882.A confrere continues to cultivate the garden, and the income (fruit, vegetables, and flowers) is sold directly.

The monastery church, which was dedicated on May 3, 1515, was frequently modified to reflect the times.The first work was done between 1580 and 1620. It ultimately lost its Gothic aspect in 1735 (the rood screen and vault ribs were destroyed).Conversions occurred again in 1840 and 1965.The main altar and two side altars were dismantled without replacement in 1965.The monastery and its church were significantly refurbished in the 1980s and 1990s.

The History of the Franciscan Monastery Schwaz

The Franciscan Monastery Schwaz was established in 1507 by the Franciscan friars, who came to Schwaz at the invitation of Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol, the patron of the town and the silver mining industry. The monastery was built on the site of a former hospital, and was dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order. The monastery was supported by the donations and bequests of the wealthy and influential citizens of Schwaz, who appreciated the friars’ pastoral and charitable work, as well as their preaching and education.

The monastery was expanded and renovated several times over the centuries, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it was embellished in the Baroque style, with new altars, paintings, organs, and furnishings. The monastery also survived the fires of 1578 and 1639, which destroyed much of the town, and the wars and conflicts that affected the region, such as the Napoleonic Wars and the World Wars. The monastery was also affected by the reforms and suppressions of the religious orders, such as the Josephinism in the 18th century and the secularization in the 19th century, which reduced the number and the influence of the friars.

The monastery is still active today, and is home to a small community of Franciscan friars, who continue to serve the parish and the town of Schwaz. The monastery also hosts various cultural and social events, such as concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, and welcomes visitors and pilgrims who want to learn more about the history and the spirituality of the Franciscan order.

The Features of the Franciscan Monastery Schwaz

The Franciscan Monastery Schwaz is a remarkable example of the Gothic and Baroque architecture and art in Tyrol, and has many features that are worth admiring and exploring. Some of the features are:

The Church: The church is the main attraction of the monastery, and is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Schwaz. The church was built in the Gothic style, with a single nave and a polygonal choir, and was decorated with frescoes, stained glass windows, and sculptures. The church also has a Baroque facade, which was added in 1750, and a 62-meter-high tower, which was completed in 1515 and serves as a landmark and a bell tower for the town.
The Altars: The church has seven altars, each with a different theme and style. The main altar is the most impressive and elaborate, and was built in 1698 by the sculptor Johann Martin Gumpp. The main altar has a marble base, a wooden frame, and a gilded canopy, and is decorated with statues, reliefs, and paintings. The main altar shows the scene of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and saints. The main altar also has a painting of the Last Judgment by Christoph Anton Mayr, and a tabernacle with a statue of Christ. The other altars are dedicated to various saints and topics, such as St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Clare, St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, and the Holy Cross.
The Organs: The church has two organs, one in the choir and one in the nave. The choir organ was built in 1642 by the organ builder Daniel Herz, and has 18 registers and a Baroque case. The choir organ is used for liturgical purposes and for concerts. The nave organ was built in 1738 by the organ builder Johann Georg Gröber, and has 25 registers and a Rococo case. The nave organ is used for festive occasions and for accompaniment of the choir and the congregation.
The Library: The library is one of the most valuable and interesting collections of the monastery, and contains about 15,000 books and manuscripts, dating from the 15th to the 20th century. The library covers various subjects, such as theology, philosophy, history, literature, and art, and includes rare and precious editions, such as the first German Bible printed by Johannes Gutenberg in 1466, and the first edition of Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible in 1534. The library also has a reading room, where visitors can browse and study the books and manuscripts.
The Cloister: The cloister is the inner courtyard of the monastery, and is surrounded by arcades and corridors, which connect the church, the library, the refectory, and the cells. The cloister is decorated with frescoes, paintings, and sculptures, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis, the history of the monastery, and the coats of arms of the donors and the friars. The cloister also has a fountain, a well, and a garden, where visitors can relax and enjoy the peace and the beauty of the place.