St. Alexander and Theodor is the church of the Upper Swabian Benedictine Abbey of Ottobeuren in the district of Unterallgäu. The church of the former imperial abbey is one of the highlights of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route due to its late baroque furnishings. Unlike many other churches, St. Alexander and Theodor is not oriented eastwards, but southwards. The church, which has belonged to the state of Bavaria since 1804, was given the honorary title of Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XI in 1926. The church is dedicated to Saint Theodor Tiro and the martyr Alexander of Rome.The basilica became known primarily through the Ottobeuren concerts, some of which were broadcast on television. Pilgrimages used to be an important source of income for the Benedictines, but are no longer important today.
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