Ruud Streefkerk

Amorbach is located in the German state of Bavaria. According to legend, a local count called the Frankische bishop Saint Pirmin to the area to establish a monastery with chapel west of the present city. A pupil of Pirmin, an Aquitaine named Amor, would then have moved the monastery to its current location in 734 and the city was named after him. In the years 1735 to 1740 the church was completely renovated in late Baroque/early rococo style and around 1780 the largest organ in the world was installed. The frescoes depict the story of Saint Benedict, who lived from 480 to 547 and who was the inspiration of the Order of the Benedictines. His famous spell is Ora et Labora: pray and work. The latter was a revolutionary statement because monastics, who were often of nobility, found until then 'manual labour' far below their dignity. Benedict's rule is a balanced rhythm of 8 hours of prayer, 8 hours of work and 8 hours of rest.