Baroque builders of Au

The baroque builders of Au

After the miserable 30s a building boom started. The exuberant baroque architecture of these years reflects the lust for life during this time.
Some of the most beautiful churches in southern Germany, Switzerland and in the Alsace region were built in the 17th and 18th centuries by builders from Vorarlberg. Most of these builders belonged to the guild of Au.
Among the most important buildings are the parish church in Birnau (Germany), the churches of the monasteries Kempten (Germany), St. Gallen (Switzerland), Einsiedeln (Switzerland) and Weingarten (Germany).

A whole village is building baroque churches

Michael Beer had the idea that the whole village would specialize in building baroque churches . Around 1650 he founded a craftsmen guild so-called "Auer Zunft". It united master-builders, brick layers, carpenters, stonemasons and plasterers. Talented craftsmen could also be found in other Vorarlberg regions.
Between the middle of the 17th century and the end of the 18th century about 850 master-builders were in action. With around 600 members the Auer Zunft was the centre of the well-known Vorarlberg baroque building school. Between 1670 and 1699 nearly the whole male population of Au and Schoppernau earned their money by building houses, churches etc.

One of the factors of success was the bonding between the members - most of them were related. Over generations the same families were the most influential. 53 masters were called Moosbrugger, 33 named Beer, seven Thumb and seven Kuen.
The above-average training of the junior staff was another factor of succsess. From 1650 to 1787 around 1800 people finished an apprenticeship, meanwhile they learned statics, geometry, material knowledge, calculation and other skills. After their absolution the trainee went on the tramp and spent the winters in their home village to learn more.
Around the middle of the 18th century the Auer Zunft lost its importance. 1868 it was finally dissolved.