Munggenast, Josef#

b. Schnann (Tyrol), March 5, 1680, d. St. Poelten (Lower Austria), May 3, 1741, prominent master builder favouring the baroque style characteristic of Lower Austria; father of Franz Munggenast and Matthias Munggenast. Worked initially with his uncle J. Prandtauer after whose death in 1726 he completed the buildings under construction, among them the pilgrimage church Sonntagberg, monasteries in Melk and Herzogenburg and the provostry in St. Poelten. From 1718 master builder for the monastery in Seitenstetten, from 1722 for the monastery in Zwettl and from 1730 for the monastery in Melk. His style, strongly influenced by Prandtauer, is most evident in his clearly defined facades. M. built numerous churches, monasteries and the spire of the monastery in Zwettl according to the plans of M. Steinl from 1722 to 27, and designed and built altars for the monastery. with J. Prandtauer, M. Steinl and A. Beduzzi M. built the monastery church in Duernstein 1721-1725 and completed its spire 1728-1733; built the church and monastery buildings in Altenburg from 1730-1740, the monastery in Geras 1736-1740; in 1739 the prelacy in St.Poelten. M. also built estates and houses for the wealthy citizens in St. Poelten and Retz; roads, bridges, fortification buildings and waterworks.