The origin of the monastery

1095

"Neresheim was founded and received Abbot Ernst. Many began to go to Jerusalem." According to the "Neresheim Annals", the year in which Pope Urban II calls for the first crusade, during the synod in Clermont, is considered the date of the monastery's documented founding.

Count Hartmann and Countess Adelheid of Dillingen-Kyburg offer their own property on the "Herten Veld" to the canons, as a permanent home. The 9th century border castle now becomes an Augustinian monastery. Pope Urban II confirms the donation and places it under the perpetual protection of the Apostolic see, for which one gold florin is to be paid annually to the Lateran, as interest. The pope appoints Count Hartmann as patron bailiff of the monastery for life and thereafter his sons, "... if you prove useful to the place."

In 1106, Count Hartmann summons monks from Petershausen near Constance to Neresheim.
In 1120, the monastery is consecrated by the papal legate Azzo and Bishop Ulrich of Constance. St. Ulrich (t 973), Bishop of Augsburg, from the founding family of the Counts of Dillingen, and St. Afra, a martyr who was burned in Augsburg in 304, were chosen as patrons.

After the death of his wife, Count Hartmann, founder of the monastery, lived as a lay brother in the monastery of Neresheim, where he passed away in 1121.

 

Hirsau reform

1109

Thanks to the work of the Hirsau monastery, the Cluny Reform increasingly influences spiritual life in southern Germany; its strict observance according to the Rule of St. Benedict becomes increasingly widespread. Theoderich, monk of Hirsau and appointed abbot of Petershausen, sends Benedictines to Neresheim. Others from Zwiefalten monastery follow. Neresheim becomes a reform monastery in the style of Hirsau.

Petershausen monastery near Constance, the starting point of the first monks who settled in Neresheim between 1106 and 1109 and who transformed the Augustinian monastery into a Benedictine monastery, is based on the Hirsau model.

1164

Between its foundation in 1095 and its secularisation in 1802, Neresheim Abbey was burnt down six times. Time and again it was rebuilt, always larger and more impressive than before. The appearance of its first buildings has not been handed down. However, its eventful fate testifies to the monastery’s significance in the political and cultural development of Swabia, despite all adversities.

Protective bailiwick

1246

During the dispute between the Pope and the Emperor, the reform monasteries of Hirsau, which faithfully sided with the Curia, were devastated. King Konrad IV, son of the banished Hohenstaufen emperor, Friedrich II, sets fire to Neresheim several times between 1246 and 1249 and destroyed the "ecclesia primaria". He uses the monastery as a base to plunder and burn down the possessions of the papal-minded Counts of Dillingen on Härtsfeld.

1258

The Dillingen founding family dies out. The Counts of Oettingen forcibly lay claim to the secular "protection" of the monastery, the bailiwick, including the associated tax, customs, forestry and hunting rights. In 1263, a settlement negotiation, presided over by Bishop Albertus Magnus, conditionally declared the bailiwick claim to be valid, triggering 500 years of legal disputes.

Kastl Reform

1331

The visitations are followed by stages of reconstruction, building expansion, spiritual renewal, and consolidation. The convent is growing. At times it event counts thirty or more Benedictines. In 1331, a new convent building was begun and completed in 1333 with a new cloister. In the 15th century, Neresheim is repeatedly visited by abbots committed to the Kastl reform.

1478

The monastery's economic situation improved considerably, thanks to land reclamation and donations, exchanges, and purchases. Thus, among other things, the parishes of Neresheim and Elchingen, Riffingen and Kuchen belong to the monastery, as well as lands, fishing waters and forests in the surrounding area. In 1478, the income was sufficient for a contemporary "embellishment": The Romanesque basilica is vaulted in a Gothic style. The layout and cross-section of the Romanesque basilica of Neresheim Abbey, after re- construction of the foundations and wall remains, which were uncovered in 1970 and 1971 during the restoration of the abbey church.

Melk Reform

1497

Melk Monastery in Lower Austria was reformed at the beginning of the 15th century. Scientific work, within the meaning of humanism, is integrated into daily monastic life in an exemplary manner. The "Melk customs" were also introduced in Neresheim in 1497/98 by Father Johannes Vinsternau from Oberelchingen, who led the monastery to new significance as an abbot (1510-1529).

1525

The Peasants' War rages in southern Germany. The uprising against serfdom and arbitrary authority is accompanied by looting of the nobility's residences and monasteries. Archives and valuables are taken to Wallerstein from Neresheim monastery. Thanks to his reputation, abbot Johannes Vinsternau is able to save the abbey and the surrounding villages of the Härtsfeld from greater damage, by negotiating with the rebel leaders.

 

Gutenberg's invention of movable type and letterpress printing revolutionised the dissemination of knowledge. In 1544, the first edition of the "Cosmographia", a description of the cities and territories "Von Teutschlande", edited by Sebastian Münzer (1468-1552), theologian and cosmographer, is published.

The first school

1546

On 25 November 1546, Charles V spent the night in the monastery of Neresheim. The victory of his army over that of the Schmalkaldic League is imminent. The monastery is rewarded poorly for hosting the emperor, in whose realm "the sun never sets". In 1552 it is robbed by Protestant troops under Elector Moritz of Saxony and Margrave Albert of Brandenburg, the abbot is imprisoned, and a large ransom is extorted.

1584

Abbot Melchior Hänlin (1584-1616) establishes the first monastery school in Neresheim. He spends several thousand guilders on the acquisition of scholarly works and the expansion of the library. He sends monks to study philosophy and theology at the new university in the nearby episcopal town of Dillingen, thus laying the foundation for the monastery's henceforth "highly respectable" level of education.

1618

During the outbreak  year of the Thirty Years' War, the construction of a new bell tower to the left of the old abbey church began under Abbot Benedikt Rohrer (1616-1647), after which the dilapidated old tower was demolished. In 1626, the construction was completed, abandoning a few metres of the initially planned total height and a number of furnishing details, in light of the ever-approaching turmoil of war.

1633

Neresheim monastery is the commandant of the Swedish general Lorenz von Hofkirch. Abbot and Conventuals are expelled. On 6 September 1634, the Swedes and their allies are defeated by the imperial army in the Battle of Nördlingen. The devastated band of soldiers spreads chaos and famine throughout the country. Only after the end of the war, regular monastic life can resume at Ulrichsberg again.

The second room on the history of the monastery covers the period from the end of the 17th century to secularisation in 1802, and points to the re-establishment of 1920. The Baroque renovation of the entire building ensemble falls into this period. A scale model provides an overview of the monastery complex. On the left is a late Baroque painting of the patron saint St. Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg.

The baroque monastery complex

Towards the end of the 17th century, the consequences of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) had been overcome to such an extent that Abbot Simpert Niggl was able to begin a general renovation of the building’s basic structure, which had been badly damaged by war and age, with a view to the jubilee of the monastery's six hundredth anniversary in 1695.

In a wise move, the first thing to be done was to start with the construction of the farm buildings. The brewery and cooperage, the bakery, the smithy and the wainwright's shop were combined in a single wing to the west. The hospice followed to the south, and school and seminary buildings to the north, so that a U-shaped inner courtyard was created below the prelature, convent building and church.

The new convent building was constructed between 1699 and 1714. Its stately palace character already offers an idea of the abbey's aspired imperial immediacy. Construction on the final and largest building, the new abbey church, was begun in 1747 and consecrated in 1792. The baroque renovation of the monastery complex thus took a century, accompanied by good and sometimes less good times.

1750

On 4 July, the feast of St. Bishop Ulrich, patron saint of Neresheim Abbey and the Augsburg diocese, the foundation stone for the new abbey church is laid in 1750. In the presence of Balthasar Neumann, the architect of the great building project, and in the presence of numerous guests of honour, the abbot and convent carry out the first hammer blows, symbolic of the start of construction, accompanied by three gun salutes.

"Come friends, come, rejoice and see what Prelate Aureli is building" - beginning of the monastic toast, read out at the festive table during the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone.

Imperial Abby

1764

Neresheim becomes a direct imperial monastery, Abbot Benedikt Maria Angehrn (1755-1787) the first imperial prelate. In exchange for cessions and compensation, the abbey gains its independence and ends the dispute with the House of Oettingen-Wallerstein, which has been going on since 1263, over the claimed bailiwick and the associated rights of tax and customs collection, as well as the unrestricted use of forests and hunting.

1792

the monastery's largest building project is completed: On 9 September, the new abbey church is consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop Johann Nepomuk von Ungelter from Augsburg. Begun by Abbot Aurelius Braisch (1739-1755) and continued under Abbot Benedikt Maria Angehrn (17551787), its completion under Abbot Michael Dobler (1787-1802) concludes the overall Baroque renovation of the monastic building ensemble.

Secularisation

Revolutionary France and monarchist Austria have been at war since 1792. Württemberg is a reciprocal deployment and transit area for the armies. In the summer of 1796, General Jean Victor Moreau occupies the imperial monastery of Neresheim and extorts considerable tribute payments. In the "Battle of Neresheim", the "Maria Buch" pilgrimage church burns down.

1802

After its victory, Napoleonic France is awarded all the territories on the left bank of the Rhine in the Peace of Luneville. The princes of the empire are compensated for their spiritual possessions. Secularisation follows in 1802. Neresheim monastery falls to the House of Thurn and Taxis. The monastery school continues as the Lyceum Carolinum until 1806. After the mediatisation of the county of Taxis by Bavaria, the monks have to leave Neresheim.

The Reconstruction

After the end of the First World War, as well following as the collapse of the Danube Monarchy and the political upheavals in Bohemia, German Benedictines from Emaus Abbey in Prague come to Neresheim as displaced persons in 1919.

On 14 June 1920, Pope Benedict XV re-established the former Neresheim monastery as a Benedictine abbey and incorporated it into the Benedictine congregation of Beuron. On 19 August 1921, Pastoral Theology Dr Bernhard Durst, monk of Beuron, is appointed the first abbot of Neu-Neresheim.

Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis returns the ensemble buildings of Neresheim monastery, including the church, as well as approx. 200 hectares of meadows and fields to the Benedictine Abbey, in the form of a donation. The buildings have to be restored to their original use with a great deal of effort.

In 1923, Neresheim Abbey resumes its educational and teaching activities, establishes a state-recognised agricultural winter school, and has some monks trained at the agricultural college in Hohenheim. The school remains in operation until 1968. The convent turns to new tasks and needs, establishing a house of reflection, education and encounters.

 

Abbot Aurelius Braisch strives for the extraordinary. At the time of his church building endeavours, Balthasar Neumann is considered one of the most important baroque architects. He teaches military and civil architecture in Würzburg. He does the planning for Empress Maria Theresa in Vienna and for the ducal court in Stuttgart. He employs more than three dozen draughtsmen in his office and supervises construction sites from Cologne to Meersburg. His life's work includes 58 completed palace, monastery and residential complexes, 28 churches, 5 bridges, 8 waterworks, and 9 fortifications. The abbey church in Neresheim is his final major sacred building, which is only completed long after his passing.

The Planning

In September 1743, Abbot Aurelius Braisch attended the consecration of the Münsterschwarzach Abbey Church, which had been built by Balthasar Neumann. The architecture left a lasting impression. Thus, the abbot initially wished for a repetition of this design for Neresheim. When Balthasar Neumann then visits Neresheim for the first time, he also brings along the building plans from Münsterschwarzach, however succeeds at convincing the abbot and convent  that "one church does not have to turn out like the other".

As a result, between July 1747 and March 1748, the planning variants are created for a new, completely different design. During Balthasar Neumann's second visit to Neresheim in June 1748, an agreement is reached on the design, and the foundations are laid.

The first preliminary drafts. Two layouts, the left one in two variants. The sheet refers to the structural conditions in Neresheim: the continued use of the existing "old tower", and to the left of it, the new church building on open ground. To the right, the Romanesque basilica, which is to remain in use until completion of the new church.

Second preliminary draft. General plan of site. Ground plan for the new building of the abbey church in two variants, both with a double tower front. Following this, on the right, layout of the existing convent building, behind it a perspective proposal for the garden design.

General plan of site of the entire monastery complex of Nereshei, with layouts of the new church building. The large plan, composed of nine pieces of paper, proves to be a working document that was used and modified several times.

Third preliminary draft with one variant. The nave and transept take on their final shape. Compared to the first drafts, the layout shows a more elongated, narrower church. Four pairs of columns, set back from the walls, support the longitudinal oval of the main dome. In addition, a variant with slightly altered details, especially in the area of the west façade and the entrance area.

Preliminary design and partial layout of the south-eastern part of the crossing. Made at the end of May, beginning of June 1748.

The execution

Of the design and execution drawings for the new building of the abbey church in Neresheim, 20 plans have been preserved, the production of which can be attributed to the building office of Balthasar Neumann, to the personal specifications or corrective instructions of the master builder. Their preservation is thanks to the Eckert Collection, one of the most important collections of plans on the history of Baroque architecture. The collection is now in the possession of the Mainfränkisches Museum Würzburg.

With the help of this series of plans, it is possible to understand how Balthasar Neumann developed his vision for Neresheim step-by-step; how he implemented it, but also how he eliminated technical problems in order to give his final great sacred building the significance of which Georg Dehio wrote in the Handbuch der Deutschen Baudenkmäler (Handbook of German Monuments): "Baroque architecture, not only of Germany but of Europe, has little that can compare with it."

Elevation of the west façade. With this plan, the exterior view of the new abbey church, as specified in the discussions with the abbot and the convent, is shown for the first time. The originally-intended double-tower façade has been dispensed with. The drawing is inscribed by Balthasar Neumann: "Littera C. Die vordere Faciata der Ney Erbauenden Kirchen des löblichen stifts und Closter Neresheim."

Longitudinal section of the new building and layout of the old and new abbey church. The layout takes all the corrections into account that are entered by Balthasar Neumann in Leonhard Stahl's drawing of the foundations, which were made on site. The longitudinal section is executed accordingly.

Revised layout of the old and new abbey church as well as longitudinal section. On 2 February 1749, Balthasar Neumann writes to Abbot Aurelius Braisch that he is working on plans for Neresheim "in a reasonable size". In these large, highly-precise drawings, the execution envisaged up to now is shown in black wash; detailed improvements are marked in red.

The plan supplements the longitudinal section and the layout prepared in January 1749. On the left, it shows a large-scale section through the northern transverse arm and half of the main dome, on the right through the southern half of the façade.

 

Cross-section through the nave and half cross-section through the spandrel bay between nave and crossing. The execution plans, made in close succession between January and March 1749, attest to Neumann's thorough preoccupation with numerous details that still needed clarification.

The elevation of the west façade. The present execution drawing varies from the earlier draft of the façade, drawn in December 1747, essentially in its greater number of windows.

Layout, half-sided at various heights, and longitudinal section with half layout of the domed lantern. The plans summarise, in a fair draughting, what detailed improvements were proposed in the designs of January 1749.

Fair draughting for the design of the west façade. The rich ornamentation has been simplified compared to the plan of January 1749, the figures of saints on the roof balustrade have been omitted.

The vaulting

Final as-built drawing. While the construction work is already underway, the chancel is widened again at the request of Abbot Aurelius Braisch. As a result, the chancel is vaulted by oval rather than circular domes.

On 19 August 1753, Balthasar Neumann unexpectedly passes away, following after a short illness with fever. His son, Franz Ignaz Michael Neumann, who had already worked alongside his father for several years, applied to continue the construction of the new church in Neresheim, but was turned down by Abbot Aurelius Braisch because of his "youthful" age of 20. The building work only progressed slowly and showed discrepancies and increased costs. On 2 June 1755 Abbot Aurelius Braisch resigned. His successor, Abbot Benedikt Maria Angehrn, invites Franz Michael Neumann to Neresheim, in particular to receive constructive suggestions for the vaulting of the dome. Neumann produces a groundbreaking technical plan, with detailed instructions. However, Neresheim does not dare to implement it.

The completion

Johann Baptist Wiedemann, a master builder from Donauwörth, was engaged to continue the construction of the church in 1759. He is responsible for the completion of the church, including the vaulting of the domes, which is not made of stone but of wood because of its "almost impossible cost". For reasons of cost, a number of ornamental details that Balthasar Neumann's construction drawings contained are dispensed with, as well By 1769, the church had been completed to such an extent that the painter Martin Knoller could be commissioned to work on the dome frescoes.

In 1776 Thomas Schaidhauf, a sculptor and architect from Raisting near Wessobrunn, begins to decorate the interior. The high altar and the side altars, pulpit and baptismal font are built according to his designs in the "Zopfstil", the early classicist style.

In 1782 the convent moves into the new abbey church. The old basilica is demolished and the gap to the convent building is closed. The solemn consecration of the new abbey church follows on 9 September 1792. Only then can the famous organ builder, Johann Nepomuk Holzhay from Ottobeuren, build the large main organ. It is completed in 1797. Half a century has passed since the planning work for the new church began.

The organ of the abbey church

Abbot Michael Dobler commissiones "Swabia's most famous organ builder" to build the main organ: Johann Nepomuk Holzhay from Ottobeuren. He was already asked to build the organ in 1780. However, since the busy master was working on the large organ for the Obermarchtal monastery at the time, and the completion of the abbey church in Neresheim was also ongoing, the contract was not signed until August 1792, the year of the church consecration.

In 1795, the first 15 of a total of 48 stops were installed in the overall organ façade, which was designed by Thomas Schaidhauf. The war and the French raids on the Härtsfeld prevent the work from being continued in 1796. It was not until August 1797 that Holzhay and his journeymen were able to return to Neresheim "to complete the work this year, if still possible".

Exactly at the end of the year, the time has come. On New Year's Day 1798, for the first time, the new, large organ fills the space of the abbey church with its unique sound.

Seen from close up and from the angle from which Martin Knoller executed the more than 300-400 figures of the Neresheim ceiling frescoes, the sovereignty and virtuosity of his art is revealed.

The fresco technique requires meticulous preparation and perfect mastery of everything that was intended. Every brush stroke within it is final. No corrections are possible. The pictorial compositions are painted into the fresh, still moist, plaster. The colours’ penetration into the substrate ensures their luminosity and durability.

The mason applies the mortar for a day's work. The fresco artist presses the contours of his original-sized design drawings into the wet painting base, then works backwards on the suspended scaffolding, applying detail after detail as quickly as possible.

The oil sketches

Jesus driving the merchants out of the temple

The first dome painting after the entrance and the entering of the church is the cleansing of the temple. The painting's theme is the invitation to renounce profane interests and open oneself to the One who is Lord of this house. Those who are pure, are welcome and invited to approach.

The twelve-year-old Jesus teaching in the temple

The second painting shows the boy Jesus in the circle of the scribes. Jesus is speaking to those who know the Old Covenant. They do not know who he is, where his wisdom comes from. Figuratively, his words are also addressed to the faithful of the New Covenant, to all who dwell in the Church.

The Adoration of the Most Holy Trinity

The oil sketch for the eastern half of the main dome shows Martin Knoller's baroque virtuosity with its variety of figures: in the apex of the dome, the Most Holy Trinity; the eternal Father, next to him Jesus, both surrounded by hosts of angels and above them, the Holy Spirit in the form of the dove.

The baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan

Jesus, kneeling on the rocks of the riverbank and standing with one foot in the water, bows in devotion and humility before his cousin, the Baptist, who lets the water run out of the shell onto his head. An angel holds the Lord's mantle. The central event is bathed in the brightest light.

The depiction of Jesus in the temple

According to the Mosaic Law, every first-born son had to be consecrated to God in the temple and redeemed by a purification sacrifice. Diligent in her faith and in observance of the laws, Mary offers her child.

The intimate condensation of the plot is a Knoller masterpiece. During the winter, the painter created the detailed sketches in Milan. In a letter dated 7 February 1775, he wrote to Benedikt Maria Anghern that he was "... eager to see them in the work, in order to see the effect in great detail, because these inventions have turned out to be quite free.

The Resurrection of the Lord

The oil sketch surpasses the other fresco designs in its drama of stillness and movement. Christ, the victor over death, has risen from the grave and stands upright, the victory flag in his left hand on the sarcophagus. The devil, "Frau Welt" (a medieval personification of worldly sensual pleasure and happiness) and Cupid tumble out of the picture frame.

The Last Supper

In the design for the dome painting above the high altar, Christ has gathered the circle of twelve apostles around the communion table He gives them the miracle of his love, his body and blood in memory of his suffering and death. His countenance reveals dignity and a willingness to sacrifice.

The stucco

Thomas Schaidhauf from Raisting near Wessobrunn, a member of the Stuttgart Charles Academy, did all the stucco work between 1776 and 1778. He demonstrates his skills so expertly that Abbot Benedikt persuades him to join the abbey's permanent staff as building director in 1779. Apart from managing general building matters, he was also responsible for the design and execution of all marble work, the altars, as well as the pulpit and baptismal font, all of which were built between 1779 and 1790.

The abbey church’s interior design bears the early classicist signature of Thomas Schaidhauf. As such, Knoller's ceiling painting alone is in full harmony with Balthasar Neumann's late Baroque idea of the room. There were two reasons for this: On the one hand, the building costs had exceeded all estimates, so that Abbot Angehrn felt compelled to exercise extreme restraint in the further decoration. On the other hand, there were three decades between Neumann's plans and the furnishing work, during which the change in artistic perception from Baroque to Classicism had taken hold ever more rapidly.

This circumstance was frequently regretted. However, it is a fact that Balthasar Neumann had already envisaged an extraordinarily discreet stucco decoration, as is also evident from his designs.