The monastery of the Augustinians of Forau – one of the oldest monasteries of Austria and one of the main attractions of the Styrian.

The monastery of Vorau was founded in 1163 by the decree of the Margrave of Styria Ottokar III. The construction was led by Archbishop Eberhard I of Salzburg, he was sent to Forau and its first inhabitants – the monks of the monasteries of Salzburg and Seckau.

The monastery of Vorau always had strong backers. His special status is evidenced by the right of the abbots of the monastery to wear during the ceremonial worship of the Episcopal vestments, granted in 1452 by Pope Nicholas V, as well as its own emblem and permission to have the Armory, obtained from the Emperor Frederick III in 1453.

During its history, the monastery has experienced several devastating fires. Not defended monastery walls and from severe outbreaks of the plague raging across Europe and claimed thousands of human lives. In the middle of the 15th century, due to the constant threat of attack, for security purposes, the monastery was heavily fortified and turned into quite a powerful fortification, surrounded by a deep moat, a cross which was only possible on the drawbridge.

In 1940, the monastery came under the control of the Nazis, and the monks were forced to leave the Holy abode. The first monks were able to return to the monastery until may 1945 and, because during the fighting, the monastery complex has undergone substantial destruction, immediately engaged in its restoration.

Perhaps the only building of the monastery of Vorau virtually unharmed during world war II - collegiate Church, built in the years 1660-1662 by the architect Domenico Sciascia. The inner decoration of the temple in the style of high Baroque refers to the first half of the 18th century. Special attention deserve the main altar of the temple, designed by the famous sculptor and architect Mathias Stanley and made entirely of wood (although it may seem that some elements made of marble), and the sacristy, decorated with stunning murals by talented Austrian painter Johann Hackhofer.

Special pride is the monastery's library, a unique collection of approximately 40,000 volumes, of which 206 and incunabula, and more than 400 ancient manuscripts. Among the most valuable specimens in the collection it is worth noting the so-called "Imperial chronicle" and "the gospel of Vorau". Available in the library and two old globe (both Dating from the 17th century). The first is a model of the globe, made in accordance with concepts of the Earth in the 17th century, on the second you can see a map of the sky that same period.