THUMB, Peter

The first designs by Caspar Moosbrugger for the Baroque church on the foundation of St. Gall date to 1721. To link the shrines of St Gall and St Othmer, he designed a double crucifix with two domed crossings. After Moosbrugger’s death in 1723, another Vorarlberg architect, Johann Michael Beer from Bleichten, took over the work, producing alternative plans that included a large octagon in the middle of the nave. Between 1730 and 1754, six other architects came forward with proposals. In each case, an attempt was made to combine the schemes of Moosbrugger and Beer.

Finally, Peter Thumb triumphed in 1755 with a version of Beer’s scheme linking a longitudinal design with a central plan. Wall-piers and a pier system placed in relation to them run through the whole space to create a coherent whole. The two choirs appear not as separate entities but linked together at the central point. Moreover, the entrances to the church are placed in such a way that the building is powerfully represented not just by the fa�ade of the choir towers but also in the effect of its breadth. Work was completed in 1770.

The picture shows a view of the church from southwest.

The Basilica of Birnau is a real landmark on Lake Constance’s west banks. It is a popular Baroque pilgrimage church designed by Peter Thumb. The interior is richly decorated in the Rococo style.

The picture shows the west front of the Basilica.

The first designs by Caspar Moosbrugger for the Baroque church on the foundation of St. Gall date to 1721. To link the shrines of St Gall and St Othmer, he designed a double crucifix with two domed crossings. After Moosbrugger’s death in 1723, another Vorarlberg architect, Johann Michael Beer from Bleichten, took over the work, producing alternative plans that included a large octagon in the middle of the nave. Between 1730 and 1754, six other architects came forward with proposals. In each case, an attempt was made to combine the schemes of Moosbrugger and Beer.

Finally, Peter Thumb triumphed in 1755 with a version of Beer’s scheme linking a longitudinal design with a central plan. Wall-piers and a pier system placed in relation to them run through the whole space to create a coherent whole. The two choirs appear not as separate entities but linked together at the central point. Moreover, the entrances to the church are placed in such a way that the building is powerfully represented not just by the fa�ade of the choir towers but also in the effect of its breadth. Work was completed in 1770.

The picture shows a view of the nave.

The first designs by Caspar Moosbrugger for the Baroque church on the foundation of St. Gall date to 1721. To link the shrines of St Gall and St Othmer, he designed a double crucifix with two domed crossings. After Moosbrugger’s death in 1723, another Vorarlberg architect, Johann Michael Beer from Bleichten, took over the work, producing alternative plans that included a large octagon in the middle of the nave. Between 1730 and 1754, six other architects came forward with proposals. In each case, an attempt was made to combine the schemes of Moosbrugger and Beer.

Finally, Peter Thumb triumphed in 1755 with a version of Beer’s scheme linking a longitudinal design with a central plan. Wall-piers and a pier system placed in relation to them run through the whole space to create a coherent whole. The two choirs appear not as separate entities but linked together at the central point. Moreover, the entrances to the church are placed in such a way that the building is powerfully represented not just by the fa�ade of the choir towers but also in the effect of its breadth. Work was completed in 1770.

The picture shows a view of the nave.

The Abbey Library of St. Gall was founded by St. Othmar, the founder of the Abbey of St. Gall. During a fire in 937, the Abbey was destroyed, but the library remained intact. When the new monastery was built around 1760, the collegiate library was built at the same time. It contains over two thousand old manuscripts and one hundred thousand books. Construction was completed under the direction of Peter Thumb.

The Rococo space is divided vertically by four wall-piers on each side, which a gallery connects all the way round. The plasterwork was by Johann Georg (active 1738-1765) and Matthias (active 1760s) Gigl of Wessobrun, while the woodwork is by Brother Gabriel Loser. The ceiling painting is by Josef Wannenmacher (1722-1780).

The Abbey Library of St. Gall was founded by St. Othmar, the founder of the Abbey of St. Gall. During a fire in 937, the Abbey was destroyed, but the library remained intact. When the new monastery was built around 1760, the collegiate library was built at the same time. It contains over two thousand old manuscripts and one hundred thousand books. Construction was completed under the direction of Peter Thumb.

The Rococo space is divided vertically by four wall-piers on each side, which a gallery connects all the way round. The plasterwork was by Johann Georg (active 1738-1765) and Matthias (active 1760s) Gigl of Wessobrun, while the woodwork is by Brother Gabriel Loser. The ceiling painting is by Josef Wannenmacher (1722-1780).