St. George's Abbey, Stein am Rhein

St. George's Abbey, Stein am Rhein (Kloster Sankt Georgen, Stein am Rhein) was a Benedictine monastery in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland.

History

In or around 1007 Emperor Henry II moved St. George's Abbey from its former location on the Hohentwiel in Singen to Stein am Rhein, at that time little more than a small fishing village on the Rhine. This was in order to strengthen his presence at this strategic point where major road and river routes intersected. He gave the abbots extensive rights over Stein and its trade so that they could develop it commercially. In this they were very successful, and Stein am Rhein rapidly became a flourishing and prosperous town which in the 15th century was itself (if briefly) granted "reichsfrei" status.

The abbey also prospered and in the 15th century completely rebuilt its premises, which remain as a significant example of late Gothic architecture in the region.

The last and greatest abbot, David von Winkelsheim, who came to power in 1499, completed the building works, and added a spectacular suite of Renaissance frescoes, among the earliest known in northern Europe.

Under the Reformation however the abbey was secularised and its assets taken over by Zürich. Abbot von Winkelsheim negotiated a settlement with the Zürich authorities, whereby, although control of the abbey was handed over to them, he and the remaining monks would be allowed to remain on the premises until their deaths. Zürich however suspected the abbot of collusion with the Habsburgs and locked him up in his new rooms. He was able to escape to Radolfzell, but died shortly after, in 1526. [ [http://www.winkel.ch/xml_1/internet/de/application/d3/f7.cfm Winkel municipal website] ]

Buildings

The buildings remained unharmed until the 19th century, when they were used by their owners for a number of industrial purposes, during which they suffered considerable damage. A Protestant pastor acquired them, and left them in trust for the community, thus saving them. Since 1945 they have accommodated a museum.

The banqueting hall or "Festsaal", containing the frescoes commissioned by David von Winkelsheim, and the cloisters are of especial interest in a building complex of great overall interest

The abbey church, which dates predominantly from the 12th century, has also survived intact and is now the (Protestant) parish church.

ources

* [http://www.stein-am-rhein.ch/xml_1/Internet/de/application/d9/f130.cfm Stein am Rhein municipal website]
* [http://www.luxurytraveler.com/stein_am_rhein.html Private travel site]
* [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/DLDecArts/DLDecArts-idx?type=turn&entity=DLDecArts.hdv17n05.p0033&isize=text Digital Library for the Decorative Arts and Material Culture: "The Craftsman" (Feb 1910), Hugo Erichson on the abbey buildings at Stein am Rhein]