Benedictine Abbey

The history of the monastery began in 1136 with its foundation by King Lothar III and his consort Richenza. Benedictine monks from Pegau settled the site, which was already mentioned in a document by King Konrad III in 1143, granting the monastery the right to establish a market. At this time, the abbots already possessed high jurisdiction and controlled an extensive area. In the 13th century, the monastery suffered losses of property, which were compensated by Emperor Frederick II and papal support, thereby averting a threatened dissolution. A resurgence was evident from 1254 with the acquisition of patronage rights. In the 14th century, the monastery expanded its possessions through enfeoffments and purchases, including the lordships of Blankenau and Rabenstein, which transferred the Vogtship over the monastery and a part of the court cases in Chemnitz to the abbot. Under Abbot Heinrich von Schleinitz (1483–1522), the monastery experienced a golden age with extensive renovations. The Lutheran Reformation led to a civic opposition movement from 1524 and the gradual departure of the monks. In 1546, Abbot Hilarius von Rehburg relinquished the lease, and after the dissolution of the monastery in 1548, the facilities were converted into an electoral castle.

The monastery was located in the city of Chemnitz in the federal state of Saxony, Germany. Today, it is situated in the Schloßchemnitz district, which developed from the former communities of “Schloßgasse” and “Schloßvorwerk”.

The former monastery complex was converted into an electoral castle after secularization. Today, the Schloßkirche (castle church) and the adjacent Schloßbergmuseum bear witness to the historical significance of the site.

• Wittgensdorf Manor (manor house and estate, approx. 5149 m away)
• Höckericht Manor (manor house and estate, approx. 5165 m away)
• Niederrabenstein Manor (manor house and estate, approx. 5851 m away)
• Rabenstein Castle (castle, approx. 6955 m away)