Saxony Secures Iconic St. Marienthal Monastery Library for Future Era
Showcasing its cultural pride, Saxony snags the iconic St. Marienthal monastery library in Ostritz, Gorlitz district. The Saxon State Library – State and University Library (SLUB) announced this exciting acquisition on a recent Wednesday, ensuring this prized Saxon inheritance remains safeguarded for posterity, research, and public intrigue. A purchase agreement between the Free State and the monastery set a 5.5 million euro price tag, with financial support from the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation facilitating the deal.
Celebrating Saxony's history and strategic conservation, Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch (CDU) commended the purchase, claiming, "The Saint Marienthal monastery library boasts immense cultural-historical and scientific relevance to the Free State of Saxony. As the spiritual home of Christian foundations, it stands as a prominent emblem in Saxony's storied history". The acquisition's urgency was fueled by the desire to preserve this precious cultural heritage for homeland admiration.
Martin Hoernes, Secretary General of the Ernst von Siemens Art Foundation, echoed Klepsch's sentiments. Hoernes emphasized that "The purchase broadens the public's understanding of Saxony's early history." Since their inception in 1983, the foundation has supported public collections by financing notable art acquisitions.
Founded in 1234, the Saint Marienthal monastery sits on the River Neisse and is the oldest surviving female branch of the Cistercian order monastery in Germany. Over the centuries, the monastery's library has experienced numerous expansions since the late Middle Ages. The SLUB asserts that the library is a critical resource for scholarship—an exceptional repository of monastic educational culture and historical sources.
In an effort to shine a light on the library's historical significance, the State Library will collaborate with Leipzig University Library's Manuscript Center for research support and public outreach. Plans include a major exhibition featuring items from the collection, scheduled for 2025.
The historical library houses over 2,700 titles spanning the 12th to 19th centuries, showcasing medieval manuscripts, early prints, and historical documents. Upon acquisition, the library transformed into the property of the Saxon State and University Library Dresden. The St. Marienthal Psalter, a 13th-century masterwork, is the crown jewel of the collection. Selected historical printed works will remain on loan within the monastery's baroque library hall.
Delving into the broader historical and cultural context of the acquisition reveals several key insights. These enrichment insights provide more depth to our appreciation of the library's significance:
- Historical Influence: The library contains pivotal items from the Jesuit era and Napoleonic period. These items reveal the evolutions of ideas and spirituality in the region throughout generations.
- Cultural Treasure: Valuable incunabula and early books showcase astounding aesthetics and historical significance, contributing to our knowledge of the Renaissance and early modern periods.
- Preservation Priorities: Transferring library care to the Landesbibliothekszentrum Rheinland-Pfalz in 2022 emphasizes preservation, ensuring these valuable items remain accessible for research and public appreciation.
- Historical Context: The monastery's historical relationship with education and intellectual pursuits roots the library in local, regional, and global intellectual history. Protecting the library preserves this cultural legacy.
In conclusion, the acquisition and preservation of the St. Marienthal monastery library represent a multifaceted achievement, reaffirming Saxony's rich cultural heritage and intellectual legacy. Serving as a priceless time capsule into the past, the library offers invaluable insights into religion, arts, and knowledge advancement over several centuries.
