Altenburg Abbey
In the baroque design by Joseph Munggenast the abbeys main view was balanced by extensive open spaces. All laid out on the same level, the terrace offered a pleasant vista of the countryside and a good vantage point from which to observe the abbeys impressive facades. An embankment raised above part of the abbey threatened the terraces supporting walls and when it was hollowed out to relieve the pressure, various layers of medieval remains were uncovered. These medieval areas are now used as museum spaces, forming a coherent extension of the exhibition areas already established in the main complex. To shelter the remains a terrace was once again installed at the same level as the adjoining baroque-era courtyards. Each phase in the abbeys architectural history stands out clearly in the individual sections of the building and at the same time the abbeys architectural history as a whole can be appreciated.