St. Matthias's cloister has been concluded and completed at last. - Completely Refurbished: St. Matthias's Monastery Now Shines in Its Renewed Glory
A new era for the Cloister of St. Matthias Monastery in Trier
In the heart of Trier, a historical resurrection unfolds. The dilapidated cloister of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Matthias, with an 800-year legacy, has been fully renovated, promising a fresh chapter in its storied history.
Abbot Ignatius Maaß guided a tour through the newly restored covered vaulted arcades, exuding enthusiasm. The transformation from a crumbling, soot-stained structure to the ornate, bright and meticulously reconstructed cloister is nothing short of remarkable.
Over the past fifteen years, the deteriorated state of the monastery was evident. According to Abbot Maaß, the floor was disintegrating, the plaster was poor, and the north wing was destroyed, with only a provisional, leaky roof to salvage it. Initial plans aimed at mere beautification, but the necessity of comprehensive renovation soon became apparent.
Now, at the culmination of the labor-intensive project, all the west, south, and east wings, as well as the recently redesigned north wing, exhibit an unprecedented splendor. The new roof, a lightweight steel and wooden construction, supported by twin round pillars, adds an exquisite touch to the French early Gothic-style cloister.
The cloister of St. Matthias transcends its role as a mere monastic structure. Built around 1220, it represents a unique architectural relic of the French early Gothic style, with only three sacred buildings nationwide sharing this distinction: the Church of Our Lady in Trier, the Elisabeth Church in Marburg, and the cloister of the Abbey of St. Matthias.
Helmut Schröder, chairman of the St. Matthias Foundation, emphasizes that the importance of the renovation extends beyond its artistic value. It is a National Cultural Monument, making its preservation an obligation, while Trier residents have affectionately deemed it "a matter of the heart." Over the years, they have amassed over 4.5 million euros to finance the costs.
A stroll through the renovated cloister is essentially a walk through history. The transition from Romanesque to Gothic can be observed at the arches, while some locations retain the echoes of its past, such as a capital adorning the wall where a missing crosswise stone suggests the presence of a beam, perhaps once supporting an installation, feeding place, or stable.
The Abbey of St. Matthias in Trier's south is a unique monastery. Its inception can be traced back to the third and fourth centuries, boasting the reputed burial site of the apostle Matthias - the only apostle's grave north of the Alps.
Brother Ignatius, the abbot who hails from Elm-Sprengen near Schwalbach in the Saarland, explains that while the authenticity of these relics is questionable, the abbey remains a significant place of veneration for the apostle St. Matthias. In Europe, the grave sites of other apostles are venerated in Rome (St. Peter) and Santiago de Compostela (St. James). Currently, twelve monks inhabit the Abbey of St. Matthias.
The monks of St. Matthias view the reconstructed cloister as a gift, fostering an environment of introspection and reflection, akin to the sanctuary it traditionally signified. The restored cloister will be shared with visitors through regular Cloister Sundays, guided tours, and services.
The completion of the renovation will be celebrated grandly on July 13th, with a Cloister Festival open to everyone. Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, has announced his attendance, signaling the significance of this event. The festivities will include a service, followed by a procession and final blessing in the cloister.
- In light of the revitalized Cloister of St. Matthias Monastery, a community policy may consider organizing regular events such as Cloister Sundays and guided tours to foster a sense of connection and education among residents and visitors alike, promoting the monastery's rich history and serving as an engaging link between the local lifestyle and the home-and-garden-like serenity of the restored cloister.
- As the Cloister of St. Matthias Monastery undergoes a new chapter in its history, it is essential that employment policies are in place to safeguard the maintenance and upkeep of this significant National Cultural Monument, ensuring the preservation of its architectural and historical integrity for future generations, thus adhering to the community's emotional attachment to the cloister as a cherished local landmark.
