Rein Abbey Archive:
900 Years of Styria
THE ARCHIVE:
SPIRITUAL CENTER OF THE ABBEY
Monastic archives provide a unique basis for researching and documenting their own history. The archive is the spiritual repository of every abbey, reflecting its eventful history.
Due to its almost 900 years of
uninterrupted existence, Rein Abbey can point to a remarkable completeness of its archival holdings. It is one of the largest private archives in Central Europe. The collection of documents comprises approximately 1000 sealed charters.
The fortunate circumstance that the archive has been located in the same premises for 400 years ensures the long-term preservation of its holdings: meter-thick walls, a late Gothic vault for temperature regulation, a wooden cabinet for the approximately 1000 sealed charters – the documents from 1129 to 1600 can be accessed at www.monasterium.net – and natural air exchange prevent harmful influences on the archival material.
Archive for Styrian Church and Regional History
The documents are significant for the formation of Styria as a region, for church history, legal history, and economic and social history. The holdings in the Abbey Archive of public law records include: the manorial lordship and district authority of Rein Abbey, the lordships of Rohr, Finkenegg, and Sannegg, and of ecclesiastical records: the archive of the incorporated parishes, the Rein Deanery Archive, and the records of monastic administration.
The Rein Abbey Archive Online
The documents from 1129 to 1600 are digitized and available at monasterium.net.
Working copies of the urbars are digitized and available with a search function via this link.
The digitized full version, but without a search function, is available from the cooperation partner Diocesan Archive Graz-Seckau.
CONTACT
THE ARCHIVE AS A PLACE OF STUDY
In principle, the archive can be used with a legitimate interest (e.g., for official, pastoral, or scientific purposes) after prior written appointment and confirmation of the regulations listed below.