Once upon a time, forgotten treasures lay hidden here in Mauerbach. This town borders Vienna, Austria. Mauerbach is more than just a location. It is a repository of secrets and stories.
Mauerbach has a Carthusian monastery. It was founded in 1313. The monastery closed in 1782. Rich Viennese families built summer houses here. The town now belongs to the district of St. Pölten since 2017.
In 1985, a startling discovery was made in Mauerbach. Hidden away were 496 paintings. Also, 146 drawings, watercolors, prints and sculptures were found. Thousands of books and other items were there too. These artworks were recovered after World War II. The Allies gave them to Austrian authorities. The authorities were supposed to return them to their owners. But they were stored in Mauerbach. Visits were not allowed. The list of items was not published. Investigative news articles exposed this secret cache. It caused a scandal.
The Austrian government did not try hard enough to return the looted art. The list of artworks hidden in the Mauerbach monastery was not published until 1959. It appeared in a small newspaper. Very few people saw the list. Those who tried to reclaim their property were unlikely to succeed.
Mauerbach is a market town. It has 3,610 residents as of January 1, 2024. Mauerbach lies in the Vienna Woods. Eighty percent of the market town is wooded. The Mauerbach stream flows through the area.
The Carthusian monastery is a significant landmark. The Federal Monuments Office began restoring it in 1984. The Mauerbach Advent Market is held there every year. The Catholic parish church of Mauerbach Mariä Himmelfahrt stands near the Kartausentor.
The Schlosspark Mauerbach has a history of its own. Georg Simon Freiherr von Sina cultivated the grounds in 1833. A villa was built. It was torn down in 1967 due to disrepair. Since 2007, a seminar hotel and restaurant has occupied the site.
In 1314, Frederick the Fair of Habsburg founded the Charterhouse. The monastery’s medieval complex was severely damaged by the Turkish sieges in 1529 and the Neulengbach earthquake in 1590. Reconstruction in baroque style began in 1616.
The monastery church features stucco and grisaille painting. Its large cloister has individual cells for monks. They lived lives of prayer in solitude and silence. The imperial garden was reconstructed to its original form.
Emperor Joseph II abolished the eKartause Mauerbach in 1782. The building became a supply institution for the poor and sick. Since 1984, the Federal Monuments Office has been restoring the Charterhouse.
The town also has hiking trails. These start at the parking lot of the Kartause Mauerbach. The Kutscherstall was revitalized in 2018. It now houses the municipal office and the local museum.
In 1835, Adolf Schmidl described Mauerbach as ideal for summer excursions. He noted the cool air after sunset. Visitors were advised to bring a coat.
Today, Mauerbach blends history with modern life. It offers a glimpse into Austria’s past. The story of looted art adds a layer of intrigue. It reminds us of the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Mauerbach is a place where history and nature intertwine.