Consider the Albertus Magnus Schule not just a building. See it as a vessel filled with history and Catholic tradition. Founded in 1891, this private school in Vienna’s 18th district, Währing, has a story etched into its very walls.
The Albertus Magnus Schule stands as a testament to time. The building itself was constructed in 1893 and 1894. Johann Nepomuk Scheiringer designed it. Later, in 1953 and 1954, the interior was remodeled to fit modern needs.
Look closely at the facade. The Albertus Magnus Schule features a romanticized style. Its side gables add to its unique appearance. A mural from the 1950s depicts Mary hovering over the school. An angel tondo adorns the portal gable.
Imagine walking through the representative staircase. It features a two-pillar design. This detail shows the architectural beauty of the Albertus Magnus Schule.
Now picture the chapel on the third floor. Dating back to the original construction, it has a two-arched entrance. It also features an angel tondo. The doors boast rich wrought iron fittings, showcasing craftsmanship. The chapel’s rectangular room faces east and contains a high open roof truss with original roof beams. In 1953 and 1954, Hermann Bauch created the altar mosaic. It shows Mary crowned by angels holding a globe with the child Jesus standing on it. Bauch also created the mosaics of the Stations of the Cross. The stained-glass windows depict Saint Leopold and Albertus Magnus. The windows were created by the Tyrolean Glass Painting Institute. The round window, Agnus Dei, dates back to the original construction in 1893 and 1894. The neo-Gothic organ case was created around 1900.
The Albertus Magnus Schule building is more than just bricks and mortar. Before World War II, Kaplan Heinrich Maier taught religion here. He resisted the Nazis and became a martyr.
Today, the Albertus Magnus Schule is run by the Association of Austrian Order Schools. It includes a primary school, a middle school, a Gymnasium, and a Realschule. The school is a Catholic private school that is open to other worldviews. The school offers a wide range of subjects. The Albertus Magnus Schule provides education at a high level.
The Albertus Magnus Schule has seen many directors. Each one has left their mark. P. Adalbert Ehrmann SM, P. Josef Leibold SM, Michael Wurz, Herwig Schlögl, Christian Köhler and since 2020 Herwig Födermayr.
The Albertus Magnus Schule is a place of learning. It is a place of history. It is a place of Catholic tradition. It is a place that has shaped the lives of many. It is a place where students can learn and grow. It is a place where they can develop their faith.