Monasteria Abolita. The Fates of Monastic Properties from the Second Half of the 18th to the Second Half of the 20th Century (Monastica Historia 6)
Author:
Jindra Pavelková, Eva Richtrová, Kateřina Bobková-Valentová (Hrsg.)
Year of publication:
2024
Publisher:
Historický ústav / Diözesanarchiv St. Pölten
ISBN:
978-3-901863-73-8 (print); 978-3-901863-74-5 (online)
Monasteria abolita is a collection of selected papers from an international academic conference held at the Želiv Monastery in October 2021. It explores the abolition of monasteries and the management of their assets from the late 18th to the 20th century. Contributions examine the process of secularisation in the Habsburg Monarchy, Bavaria, and other European regions, with a focus on Josephinian reforms and the interventions of totalitarian regimes.
Key themes include the impact of monastery closures on spiritual life, cultural heritage, and social structures. Particular attention is paid to the fate of libraries, art collections and furnishings, which were often displaced and repurposed, resulting in significant cultural losses. Using modern methodological approaches, including digital humanities, the studies provide fresh insights into the transformation of religious communities, the restitution of property, and the evolving identity of ecclesiastical institutions.
