HISTORY
The palace-like edifice of the Abbey at Corvey, founded in the years 815-822 by Emperor Louis the Pious in realisation of the plans of his father Charlemagne, spans almost 1,200 years of architecture, art and history. Corvey lies at the heart of a region whose tradition of culture and husbandry of the land goes back centuries; it is located directly on the Weser cycle path and close to a landing stage for river boats.
Between the 9th and 12th centuries Corvey was one of the most important spiritual, cultural, economic and political centres of northern Europe. It was a place of wide renown that was visited by numerous rulers. Much of the impetus for the Christianisation of the northern and eastern regions of the continent originated from here. Today, as then, Corvey is the cultural focus of the region and the most important cultural heritage site on the upper Weser. The 7,000 sq.m. site is the seat of the Höxter-Corvey Cultural Circle, which with its museum is one of the major cultural institutions in the region of East Westphalia-Lippe, and thus an important stimulating factor for culture and tourism in the region.
The early medieval west end of the original church, in which the oldest paintings in Westphalia are to be found, the baroque abbey building with its 113-metre-long façade and the princely library are highlights of this very important monastic complex.
There are few buildings in the world, which combine art, culture, architecture and history in such a unique manner. Famous for its library and school and favoured by its convenient location on the banks of the Weser, in the 9th and 10th centuries the Benedictine monastery developed into a cultural, spiritual and economic centre. Since the transfer of the relics of St. Vitus in the year of 836 Corvey has practiced as a place of pilgrimage of a great attraction. The Carolingian abbey was one of the most important disseminators of Christian culture in Europe.
The Monastery complex, which was almost completely destroyed during the Thirty Years War and was rebuilt as a Baroque residence until 1671, consists of the oldest and only almost perfectly preserved Carolingian Westwork in the world.The central main room upstairs, surrounded on three sides by galleries, draws its shape and its original artistic decoration from classical models for secular state rooms.
But behind the old walls of Corvey, the baroque castle, the cloister and the Abbot’s gallery, the Imperial Hall, the grand and living rooms from the 18th and 19th centuries and the princely library with a collection of nearly 75,000 volumes, are good reasons to go on an exciting and educational journey of discovery.
Corvey made its successful application for World Heritage status based on the civitas and the westwork, which date back to the 9th century. The square central building with its double-tower facade is the oldest surviving westwork in the world. It forms the church building's west-facing entrance. The two spires were added in the 16th century.
CURRENT SITUATION
In June 2014, UNESCO granted the westwork of the Catholic Church and the Civitas Corvey the status of a World Heritage Site.
Today, as in the 19th century, Corvey Castle is owned by the Ducal Family of Ratibor, while the baroque abbey church belongs to the Catholic parish of St Stephen and Vitus. Even before it was declared a World Heritage Site, the site attracted up to 100,000 visitors a year.
Behind the old walls of Corvey, the baroque castle, the cloister and the Abbot’s gallery, the Carolingian westwork with its frescoes from the 9th century, the Imperial Hall, the former abbey church as a monument to baroque furnishings, the grand and living rooms from the 18th and 19th centuries and the princely library with a collection of nearly 75,000 volumes, are good reasons to go on an exciting and educational journey of discovery. In the cemetery next to the church lies the grave of the poet of the German national anthem, Hoffmann von Fallersleben.
The Corvey Music Festival in the sumptuous Imperial Hall or the baroque Abbe, ypecial exhi Church, the sbitions of works by celebrated artists and a large number of other events draw numerous visitors every year.
Corvey Abbey School offers a museum educational service with a wide-ranging programme on the art and history of Corvey for the most varied groups of visitors.
Visitors will find an extensive baroque complex containing a museum shop, the Abbey Restaurant and a wine house.
