Am 2. July 2023 celebrated the association for the revitalization of the monastery ruins Arnoldstein (VKA) its 30th anniversary. Based on an initiative of the local government at the time (Bgm. Ing. Gerwald. Steinlechner, Cultural Advisor Erich Kessler u. a.) it comes in years 1993 to found a club. Under the active leadership of chairman Bernhard Wolfsgruber, the association has made it its mission, to save the Arnoldstein monastery ruins as a historical building and object of local history from final decay. The Benedictine Monastery, 1106 under Bishop Otto II. founded, has been in the course of its existence, Due to its location on the busy trade route to Italy, it was expanded into a fortified, castle-like fortress. The monks cleared the area according to their motto "Ora et labora" and gave bread and work to the people in the area. 1783 the monastery was founded under Joseph II. repealed and destroyed by fire a hundred years later. After that there were no more attempts, restore the building complex. As mentioned above, work on this has only just begun 1992/1993.
The revitalization measures were intended to make public access possible again and to create a venue for all kinds of cultural performances. All visitors could see for themselves, that the objectives were achieved in an impressive way.
Guests of honor were present:
Domprovost Engelbert Guggenberger (Diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt)
Ing. Reinhard Rohr, 1. President of the Carinthian Parliament
Reg. Rat Ing. Gerwald Steinlechner and Erich Kessler, Former mayor of Arnoldstein
Ing. Reinhard Antolitsch, Mayor of Arnoldstein
Karl Zußner, Vice Mayor of Arnoldstein with numerous members of the municipal council,
Deputy Mayor Michaela Scheurer, culture officer
The ceremony began with a solemn mass, celebrated by cathedral provost Engelbert Guggenberger with the assistance of deacon Christian Novak and musically very atmospherically framed by the choir "Cantus Carinthiae". The over also celebrated the fair 30 Pastor Josef Jobst who worked in Arnoldstein for years
Then the speakers paid tribute, Bgm. Ing. Antolitsch, Ing. R. Rohr and Dr. Riepan the activities of the association and what has been achieved. In his speech, club chairman B. Wolfsgruber the arc from the beginnings 1992/1993 (in which the actors were sometimes smiled at and dismissed as cranks) til today. With the help of numerous volunteers, Citizens and businesses willing to donate and indispensable- financial support from the community, The state of Carinthia and the Republic of Austria and the Federal Monuments Office were able to create this, which today can be described as a striking landmark and cultural center of Arnoldstein.
Just a number to illustrate the years 1992-2022: rd. 72000 working hours of volunteers, Volunteer helpers were provided in the association. The funds received flowed back into local businesses, who were entrusted with orders for work within the framework of the revitalization. The project "Monastery Ruins Arnoldstein" has long since found national recognition, numerous honors and awards bear witness to this. In November 2022 the VKA received the sustainability award from "Euregio without borders"..
The celebration ended comfortably with food and drink, musically accompanied by the "Blech Saitn Musi". The weather also played along and remained festive into the afternoon - beautiful.
Notice:
Interested parties can purchase the commemorative publication for the 30th anniversary for a small donation. In more compact, Interesting facts are compiled in richly illustrated form.
Association for the revitalization of the Arnoldstein monastery ruins
Klosterweg 1, 9601 Arnoldstein
E-mail: info@klosterruine.at
Homepage: www.klosterruine.at
Tel. 0664 592 00 58
Photos: Helmut Weichselbraun, Small newspaper
Monika Tschofenig Hebein, Municipality of Arnoldstein