“Seven buildings were torn down. An eighth remained.” Imagine standing before the Eremitage. This place whispers tales of Freiburg’s past. It echoes with the lives of Augustinian monks. The Eremitage holds secrets of a bygone era.
The Eremitage, or what remains of it, is a testament to Freiburg’s layered history. It is not just a collection of stones. It is a story etched in sandstone. The Augustiner monks arrived here in 1278. Count Egino II approved their monastery. It was built between Salzstrasse and the city wall. But even before that official approval, the monks were already present in Freiburg.
The Augustine Church was consecrated in 1299. Konrad von Lichtenberg, Bishop of Strasbourg, led the ceremony. Construction of the monastery buildings began in the early 14th century. A receipt from 1332 shows sandstone was sourced from the Loretto-Schlierberg. This tells us about the materials and origins of the Eremitage.
Over the centuries, the Eremitage underwent many changes. Baroque styles were introduced. There were renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries. Further modifications occurred in the early 20th century. In 1706, the church’s nave was raised. Ten oval windows were added. Two new chapels were built. The original monastery was renovated beside the sacristy.
However, the winds of change swept through Freiburg. In 1784, Emperor Joseph II ordered the Augustinian monks to move. They were to relocate to the Franciscan monastery. The Franciscans, in turn, moved into the Eremitage. This reshuffling of religious orders marked a turning point.
The Eremitage ceased to be a monastery. In 1803, the monastery was dissolved. The buildings were repurposed. Freiburg established one of Germany’s first municipal theaters. It was housed in the former monastery church. The theater operated from 1823 to 1910.
The city stored parts of its antiquities collection here in 1874. But many buildings fell into disrepair. They served as a school or a munitions depot for troops. Max Wingenroth’s appointment as museum director started a new chapter. In 1922, it began as the Freiburg City Museum. In 1923, it evolved into the Augustinermuseum. The city’s art collections were incorporated.
Today, the Augustinermuseum stands as a guardian of Freiburg’s heritage. It preserves one of the city’s oldest structures. The building retains a significant amount of historical fabric. Gothic remnants are still discovered. Finds in the museum’s cellar suggest earlier settlements on Augustinerplatz. During the monastery’s construction, seven buildings were demolished. But one survived. It is believed to be the original monastery.
In 2006, a comprehensive renovation project began. The Eremitage’s appearance changed. The west facade was opened with a new entrance and foyer. The former church nave was restructured. Supports were added. Enclosing galleries were installed. The cellar and attic were converted into exhibition spaces.
Originally, the Augustine monastery belonged to the German province. After a division in 1299, it was assigned to the Rhine-Swabian province. In 1781, the Austrian government formed the Upper Austrian province. It consisted of four monasteries. The government forbade connections to the Augustinian General Prior. The Prior of Konstanz became the director in 1782. He was then appointed provincial in 1789. Freiburg considered the mendicant order monasteries as its own. The members of the convents came from Freiburg and the surrounding area.
Now, as you stand before the Eremitage, consider its long and varied history. It is a story of monks, theaters, museums, and a city’s enduring spirit.