The Hermitage in Linz’s St. Mary’s Cathedral Nears Completion
.jpg.393669.jpg "Türmerstube")
Press Release
22 August 2008
Throughout 2009, the year in which Linz will be serving as European Capital of Culture, St. Mary’s Cathedral will be making available the Türmerstube to accommodate hermits in a way that enables them to go on a silent, solitary retreat within the confines of Austria's largest church. From the 1st Sunday of Advent in 2008 to the end of 2009, a succession of hermits will occupy the Türmerstube for one week each.
Situated 69 meters up the Cathedral’s tower at the base of its 136-meter-tall steeple, the existing Türmerstube features 8 square meters of space and a tiny lavatory. Electrical infrastructure and plumbing facilities (running water and a flush toilet), the insulation of the exterior walls and the installation of a new window have already been completed. The hermit’s retreat will soon be outfitted with a bed, chair, a small desk and kitchen counter, and a folding table, which are being designed by artist Frank Geffke from Feldkirchen an der Donau. The local chapter of proHolz, Austria's forest products industry association, the Federal Higher Technical Institute in Hallstatt, and Upper Austrian woodworking firms are providing the furnishings for the Türmerstube.
The most daunting challenge on this construction site is material transport, since only small pieces (up to 200 x 50 cm) fit on the elevator. The rest has to be carried up by hand—in part, on the narrow spiral staircases that begin at an altitude of 34 meters. The whole project will cost approximately 70,000 euros.
A scale model of the Türmerstube will be put on public display inside the Cathedral near the transept so that churchgoers can get an idea of what the hermitage looks like.
Hubert Nitsch, the diocesan staff advisor on artistic affairs, came up with the idea and concept that led to “The Hermit of the Tower.”
More about The Hermit of the Tower
