Altmünster

The oldest parish in Salzkammergut

More than 1200 years ago, at the beginning of the 8th century, the dukes of Agilolfing family build a monastery and dedicate its church to the founder of the order, St. Benedict. Monasteries, including Kremsmünster and Mondsee, play an important role in Bavarian colonisation and missionary work of the land largely inhabited by Slavs.

But the abbey does not last long, the advancing Magyars destroy it in around 920. Following their defeat in the Battle of Lechfeld in 955, the fled inhabitants return and it is rebuilt, no longer as a monastery, but as the Parish Church of Münster. This includes not only the area around Traunsee, but extends from Hallstatt to Laakirchen and includes Schörfling and St. Georgen im Attergau. A document from 1236 calls Münster "antiquissima parochia monasterialis" – "the oldest monastery parish".

As early as the 12th century, the independent parishes of Traunkirchen, Ohlsdorf, Schörfling and St. Georgen im Attergau emerge from the larger parish of Münster. Only Pinsdorf remains a branch of Altmünster.

Initially, the Styrian margraves hold the feudal tenure over Altmünster and so have the land and its yield at their disposal. Feudalism is the economic basis of monasteries and parishes. The estates are managed by peasants who deliver up the tithe, i.e. a tenth of all yield. In addition, they work for the monasteries for a certain number of days free of charge. The fief then passes to the rulers of Ort, who found the nunnery of Imbach near Krems in 1269 and grant it right of patronage over the Parish of Altmünster.

In 1764, the Prince-Bishop of Passau, Leopold Ernst Graf von Firmian, procures these rights for 6000 guilders. After the separation of the Diocese of Linz from the Diocese of Passau, Emperor Josef II reserves power of appointment over the Parish of Altmünster.

Founded as "Trunseo" Monastery over 1200 years ago, the Parish Church of Altmünster is still a reflection of the eventful history of the region and town.