Franciscan monastery Kaltern
The Franciscan monastery of Kaltern is located in the historical center of Kaltern in South Tyrol ( Italy ).
history
In 1638, the brothers Sigismund and Christoph Greiff in particular tried to found a Franciscan monastery in Kaltern. The sovereign Claudia von Medici approved her request and made the dilapidated Rottenburg Castle available as land. As a sign of the new foundation, on May 29, 1639, the Franciscans and several thousand believers from Kaltern and the surrounding area marched in a solemn procession to the building site and erected a cross there. In 1640 the castle was demolished and the monastery was built in the same year with the active help of the local population. From 1642 to 1643 the associated monastery church was built, which was consecrated in honor of the sovereign of the holy martyr Claudia. Due to the many answers to prayer, the image of St. Anthony of Padua on the right side altar became a place of pilgrimage over time.
In 1810 the monastery was closed and auctioned under Italian rule . Twenty citizens of Kaltern bought the monastery and gave it back to the Franciscans at the purchase price in 1814, after the political situation had changed again due to the Congress of Vienna . In the 19th century the convent developed very well, so that at times even 23 members of the order were accommodated. Among other things, the monastery housed its own theological school with up to seven students.
In the 20th century there was a series of renovations in the monastery. In 1974 the patronage of the church passed from St. Claudia to St. Anthony of Padua.
Attractions
- On the right side altar is the well-known image of “St. Antonius von Kaltern ” . It was commissioned from an unknown artist in 1643 by Christoph Ulrich von Bach out of gratitude for the help of St. Anthony in a life-threatening situation. Since the painter disappeared without a trace - without asking for his fee, the legend arose that the picture was painted by an angel.
- To the right of the Antonius Altar is a memorial stone for Archduke Ferdinand Karl , who died on December 30, 1662 on a hunting excursion in Kaltern. The bowels of the sovereign are buried in the monastery church.
literature
- Martin Sölva: 350 years of Franciscans in Kaltern 1639–1989 . Frangart 1989.
Web links
- Entry in the monument browser on the website of the South Tyrolean Monuments Office
- Franciscan monastery Kaltern
Coordinates: 46 ° 24 ′ 46.2 " N , 11 ° 14 ′ 38.4" E