The Monasterium Project

The Monasterium Project stands as a virtual archive for all kinds of Middle Age and Early Modern Period primary sources. Monasterium is the Latin root of the English word monastery. The project took off in the Austrian province of Lower Austria, which is rich in monasteries. From their founding in the high Middle Ages, these monasteries have stood without interruption, so that this region can boast an unbroken archival tradition. As a result of their great historical meaning, these archives guard the better part of the tradition and history of this country from the Middle Ages and early Modern Period. The strong historical relations between the monasteries and throughout the surrounding country establish the ideal conditions to realize the possibility of a virtual retrieval system of these broadly distributed sources. Spreading out from the St. Pölten episcopal archive, work on this project began with the energetic support of government and the monasteries themselves. The logical consequence of this was a more and more intensely developing exchange of ideas and experience with interested colleagues inside and outside the country. More and more has formed a network of likeminded people with the goal of collaboration beyond boarders. Monasterium has now developed into the largest virtual archive of its kind worldwide. Sources of the “primary source” variety for the central European region are now available in an online encyclopedia unlike any other historical source. It is our goal to continue building this archive, maintaining accessibility and networking with other historical online resources. Further information: www.monasterium.net or www.osservatoreromano.va