Carolingian Westwork and Civitas Corvey
On 21st June 2014, the former Benedictine monastery of Corvey, in Höxter Westphalia, became the 39th location in Germany to be awarded the UNESCO World Heritage title. And rightly so, because it is an historical art treasure of inestimable value. The former imperial Abbey with its nearly 1,200 year history is regarded as one of the most important monastic foundations in medieval Germany.
There are few buildings in the world, which combine art, culture, architecture and history in such a unique manner. Famous for its library and school and favoured by its convenient location on the banks of the Weser, in the 9th and 10th centuries the Benedictine monastery developed into a cultural, spiritual and economic centre. Since the transfer of the relics of St. Vitus in the year of 836 Corvey has practiced as a place of pilgrimage of a great attraction. The Carolingian abbey was one of the most important disseminators of Christian culture in Europe.
The Monastery complex, which was almost completely destroyed during the Thirty Years War and was rebuilt as a Baroque residence until 1671, consists of the oldest and only almost perfectly preserved Carolingian Westwork in the world.
The central main room upstairs, surrounded on three sides by galleries, draws its shape and its original artistic decoration from classical models for secular state rooms.
But behind the old walls of Corvey, the baroque castle, the cloister and the Abbot’s gallery, the Imperial Hall, the grand and living rooms from the 18th and 19th centuries and the princely library with a collection of nearly 75,000 volumes, are good reasons to go on an exciting and educational journey of discovery.
Carolingian Westwerk and Civitas Corvey – Höxter
UNESCO World Heritage since 2014
From the selection criteria
The Westwerk in Corvey is the only preserved model from the time of the Carolingians.
It combines the Carolingian architecture with ancient models in an outstanding way.
The imperial abbey of Corvey was a spiritual and religious center of the Frankish Empire.
Information and Contact
WELTERBE CORVEY
Schloss Corvey
37671 Höxter
Tel. +49 5271-681 68