Monastery of St. Matthias Completely Rehabilitated After Extensive Restoration Work - St. Matthias's cloister undergoes a comprehensive restoration.
St. Matthias Monastery's Cloister Renovation Completes After Decades
The cloister of the Benedictine abbey of St. Matthias in Trier, boasting an 800-year history, now shines in renewed resplendence after a lengthy restoration process. Abbot Ignatius Maaß, leading a tour through the vaulted arcades, expressed his enthusiasm over the transformation.
In the past, the site was rundown; the floor was cracked, the walls were in poor condition, and the north wing had been destroyed and only had a makeshift, leaky roof. Initially, the intention was to merely enhance its appearance, but soon it became evident that comprehensive renovation was necessary.
Over time, more than just the west, south, and east wings have been revitalized. The north wing, which lay in ruins, has now been redesigned and rebuilt, looking ornate and bright with a new light steel construction and wooden roof supported by round twin pillars.
Hailing from the French early Gothic style, the cloister of St. Matthias is a significant national landmark. It is one of only three sacred buildings in the country featuring this architectural style, alongside the Church of our Lady in Trier, the Elisabeth Church in Marburg, and this very cloister.
The renovation was crucial from multiple perspectives – historically, for the community of Trier, and from the standpoint of state monument preservation. Over the years, approximately 4.5 million euros were raised for the project through various channels – federal funding, state support, the Diocese of Trier, and donations from the public.
Walking through the revamped cloister, one can observe the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic era in the arches, while some original details have been left intact to offer a glimpse into the past. Karl Feils, a Trier architect, points out a damaged capital on the wall, suggesting that it used to host a beam, likely connected to an installation, feeding place, or stable, hinting at the site's secular use in the past.
Originally a monastery, St. Matthias' building had been significantly damaged during its 100 years as an agricultural estate after the secularization in 1802. The return of Benedictine monks in 1922 and a renovation in the 1950s laid the foundation for the monastery's restoration to its former glory.
The monastery, situated at the south end of Trier, boasts a unique historical prominence, reaching back to the third and fourth centuries. The burial place of Apostle Matthias, the only such place north of the Alps, brings around 4,000 to 5,000 pilgrims on foot and over a thousand bus pilgrims annually.
Abbot Ignatius, born in Elm-Sprengen near Schwalbach in the Saarland, stated that monks have been making pilgrimages to the site for many centuries. The relics of Apostle Matthias were discovered in 1127; the Abbot clarifies that this isn’t about authenticity but rather a place of veneration for Apostle St. Matthias.
In Europe, the graves of other apostles are similarly venerated at sites such as Rome (Peter) and Santiago de Compostela (James). Currently, twelve monks reside at the Abbey of St. Matthias, sharing a community with others in Huysburg near Halberstadt, Saxony-Anhalt.
The monks of St. Matthias view the completed renovation as a gift. The Abbot described walking through the cloister as experiencing "an oasis of reflection," a separate space that encourages introspection, as one might associate with the heart of a monastery. Regular Cloister Sundays will continue to be held, inviting visitors to experience the renovated space.
The completion of the restoration work will be celebrated on July 13th with a Cloister Festival, open to all. Georg Bätzing, the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, has promised his attendance, and the event will include a festive service concluding with a procession and final blessing in the cloister.
The completed restoration of St. Matthias Monastery's cloister, a significant national landmark, not only improves its aesthetic appeal but also ensures the preservation of its historic value. With the revitalization of the north wing and meticulous attention to details, the cloister now offers a peaceful sanctuary for reflection, promoting an atmosphere of introspection and meditation, characteristic of a monastery. In line with this revamped atmosphere, community events such as Cloister Sundays and the upcoming Cloister Festival will be held, inviting the public to experience the lifestyle and tranquility in harmony with the home-and-garden appeal of the renovated space.
