Theological studies since 1607

The Philosophical-Theological College at the Seminary in Brixen/Bressanone dates back to the reorganisation of theological studies by the Council of Trent (1545-1563). In 1607 the seminary was founded, and in 1764-1772 it received a new building with a large library and seminary church. In the course of time, several renovations and extensions took place. The last extension with rooms for library, college and church music school was built in 1988-1990.

The Napoleonic era

In Napoleonic times, when Tyrol was occupied by Bavaria, teaching was temporarily suspended. In the second half of the 19th century, the theological formation centre was one of the most famous in the Habsburg Empire. The division of Tyrol and thus also of the Diocese of Brixen/Bressanone after the First World War led to a gradual loss of students from the Austrian North Tyrol.

The upswing in 1964

The College experienced an upswing with the reorganisation of the diocese of Bozen-Brixen/Bolzano-Bressanone in 1964, which brought Theology students and some professors from the former "German part" of the diocese of Trento to Brixen/Bressanone. After the number of theology students had fallen sharply in the 1970s as a result of the decline in candidates for the priesthood. The college gradually experienced an increase as more and more lay people turned to the study of theology. Likewise, students from German and Austrian dioceses now regularly came to Brixen/Bressanone for the semester abroad.

A new situation

A new situation arose for the College as a result of the negotiations conducted in 1974-76 with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Innsbruck and with the responsible Austrian Federal Ministries. The studies completed at the College are now recognised by the Faculty of Theology in Innsbruck due to the harmonisation of curricula. Students of the Brixen College are free to enrol in Innsbruck for at least one semester after obtaining the theological diploma in Brixen in order to obtain the academic degree of Master of Theology also there.

Additional courses since 1976

From 1976 onwards, courses for the formation and training of teachers of religion and for various pastoral ministries were also offered at the College. In 1987, the Italian Ministry of Education included the Brixen/Bressanone College in the list of those institutions that can award a valid degree for religious education in public schools.

The Higher Institution for Theological Education

In addition, the "Higher Institute for Theological Education" was established at the College in 1991 by the Congregation for Catholic Education. It awards the academic degree of "Magistero in Scienze Religiose" and entitles the holder to teach religion at all school levels in Italy. This degree can be obtained in the Italian language at the Bozen/Bolzano section of the College.

"Studium Theologicum Academicum Brixinense“

In 1991, the Congregation for Catholic Education granted Brixen/Bressanone College the status of an academic institution of Pontifical right with the official title "Studium Theologicum Academicum Brixinense" and with the authority to award the academic degree of Baccalaurate of Theology (Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus).

The establishment of the ISSR in 2006

In 2006, the Congregation for Education approved the statutes of the "Higher Institute for Theological Education" (ISSR), which is supported by the College, for an initial period of five years. It is linked to the Faculty of Theology of Triveneto (based in Padua) by a cooperation agreement, according to which the corresponding academic degrees are also awarded by the Faculty of Theology of Triveneto. This agreement regulates in detail the reorganisation of theological studies in north-eastern Italy.

Cooperation with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Innsbruck

From the academic year 2001/2002 onwards, cooperation with the Institute for Christian Philosophy at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Innsbruck has been intensified. The academic degree of Master of Philosophy awarded is recognised by the Italian state ("Laurea in Filosofia").

Cooperation agreement with the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano

In 2002, a cooperation agreement was concluded with the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano for academic collaboration. While preserving the autonomy of the Philosophical-Theological College and its competence in philosophical and theological education, the agreement provides for, among other things, mutual recognition of study credits, insofar as these correspond to the respective curriculum, joint research projects and the exchange of teachers and students.

Eminent Personalities

Over the centuries, countless seminarians have studied theology in Brixen. Among them there are interesting and important personalities, some of whom have been canonised and beatified, such as Saint Joseph Freinademetz and Blessed Otto Neururer and Carl Lampert, who are commemorated in the Seminary Chapel.

Others have become famous professors, bishops, missionaries, etc.

On the Website of the Brixen Seminary you can find some of these personalities (German / Italian).

Philosophical-Theological College Brixen

Seminarplatz 4, 39042 Brixen South Tyrol

info@pthsta.it T +39 0472 271120 or T +39 0472 271127