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It was at the former monastery of Mariabrunn where they said good-bye to Pope Pius VI on the occasion of his visit of Vienna in 1782. Abraham a Sancta Clara started his monasticism as a novice here and worked as a prior. Mariabrunn was Imperial Church and therefore at the same time religious centre for the Imperial hunting and forestry staff. The former monastery and novice building of the Barefoot Augustinians of Mariabrunn, with its impressive architecture and history was founded in 1639 and became soon a popular pilgrimage site for Vienna and its surroundings.
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In 1726, after the end of the Turk Wars, extensive reconstruction work was initiated. The building was completed in its present shape with two courtyards including annexes and extensive gardens.
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In 1813 the (first) Imperial Secondary School of Forestry moved into the building. In 1829 the Order of the Barefoot Augustinians ceased to exist due to lack of monks. In 1866 the monastery was rededicated into a Forestry Academy. Since 1876 it hosts several departments of the "Federal Forest Research Centre" (today: Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape). Since the dissolution of the Order the Roman Catholic Parish Church at Mariabrunn (Marian Pilgrimage) is taken care of by a priest, in good neighbourhood with the forestry staff.
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The Premises and their Splendid Architecture
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During the reconstruction period the premises were thoroughly restored from 1988 to 1994. The premises (assembly hall, ballroom staircase, summer refrectory) were restored in such a way to recall the "Augustinian spirit. The refectory was given the shape of a modern event location hall.
The dining room of the monks was completed to its present shape around 1736.
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The five axes long hall, lightened from two sides, was decorated with stucco work at the ceiling by Frater Paulus a S. Veronica of the monastery in 1742. With five rather huge pictures of the Holy Virgin Maria at Mariabrunn and the Holy Church Father Augustinus it is the most representative part of the ensemble. While the stucco remained reasonably intact the pictures (frescos) got lost after the Second World War.
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Today's Use
Meetings and Cultural events
Due to the architectural beauty of the "Monastery of Mariabrunn" and the excellent accessibility (by car, train and bus) the historical premises and the former monastery courtyard is used preferably for meetings, celebrations and cultural events. The combination with the adjoining parish church makes it an ideal setting for all kinds of religious celebrations such as confirmations, baptisms or agapes.
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