Seckau Abbey

Seckau Abbey or Abbey of Our Dear Lady, Seckau ( or ) is a Benedictine monastery in Seckau in Styria, Austria.
== History ==
The monastery was founded by the Augustinian Canons, when an already existing monastery was moved to Seckau in 1142. This establishment was dissolved in 1782.
In 1883 the monastery was resettled by Benedictines from Beuron Archabbey, who had had to leave Germany because of the "culture struggle" ("Kulturkampf"). In 1940 the monks were evicted by the Gestapo and the buildings were confiscated. In 1945 the monks were able to return.
The abbey maintains a secondary school ("Gymnasium") and the duties of the pastoral care belonging to a parish.
It is part of the Beuronese Congregation within the Benedictine Confederation.
== Abbey church ==
The abbey church, a Romanesque basilica, was built between 1143 and 1164. For centuries it was the place of burial of the Inner Austria line of the Habsburgs Seckau, Steiermark / Stiftsbasilika. In 1930 it was declared a papal "basilica minor".
== Gallery ==
Image:Seckau abbey yard.JPG|Abbey yard
Image:Seckau Tuerme.jpg|Basilica spires and entrance
Image:Seckau Basilika.jpg|Interior of the basilica
Image:Seckau Kreuzigungsgruppe.JPG|Romanesque Crucifixion scene
==In numismatics==
Seckau Abbey was recently selected as a main motif for a high value Austrian euro collectors' coin: the Seckau Abbey commemorative coin. The obverse shows a wide view of the Abbey of Seckau looking west. Located in the center is the great Romanesque basilica with its two mighty towers surrounded by the Baroque monastic buildings. The reverse shows a view from the main entrance of the church to the high altar, the mediaeval crucifixion group hanging on four massive chains can be depicted. 
== References ==
==External links==
* Official website
* Seckau Abbey (JPEG)
* Stift Seckau on TouristicViews.com
Category:States and territories established in 1218
Category:1142 establishments
Category:Religious organizations established in the 1140s
Category:1782 disestablishments
Category:Religious organizations established in 1883
Category:Benedictine monasteries in Austria
Category:Basilica churches in Austria
Category:Cathedrals in Austria
Category:Roman Catholic cathedrals in Austria
Category:Christian monasteries established in the 12th century
de:Abtei Seckau
fr:Abbaye de Seckau
sv:Klostret Seckau