Stift Gerresheim

The origins of the women's community of St. Hippolyt in Gerresheim date back to the late 9th century, founded by the Frankish nobleman Gerricus. Following an attack by the Hungarians in 919 and its transfer to the Archbishop of Cologne in 922, a period of reconstruction and consolidation ensued, culminating in the consecration of a new church in 970 and the confirmation of the Gerresheim customs duty by Emperor Otto II in 977. In the 11th century, there may have been temporary connections to the women's community in Essen, particularly under Abbess Theophanu. Relationships also existed with the St. Ursula convent in Cologne until the High Middle Ages, as it was established after Gerresheim nuns fled due to the Hungarian catastrophe. Abbesses like Heizzecha in the 12th century and Hadwig von Wied (from 1150) temporarily led both communities. The High Middle Ages marked a period of economic and religious stability, documented by a land register from the time of Abbess Guda (1212–1232) and a liturgical ordo. The collegiate church, now known as St. Margareta Basilica, was completed and consecrated in 1236 as a late Romanesque basilica. In the 13th century, the foundation increasingly fell under the control of the Counts of Berg, who served as its advocates, making the community and its manorial lordship part of the Bergian territorial rule. This led to changes in the legal system, which had previously been strongly influenced by the foundation. Parallel to this, a merchant and artisan settlement developed from the market and customs post, which was elevated to a city in 1368, gradually marginalizing the foundation. The Canoness Collegiate Foundation was finally dissolved in 1803.

The former Canoness Collegiate Foundation is located in the Gerresheim district of the large city of Düsseldorf in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Today, the Canoness Collegiate Foundation Düsseldorf-Gerresheim is protected as an architectural monument in North Rhine-Westphalia and bears witness to its long and eventful history. The former collegiate church, now St. Margareta Basilica, is a testament to late Romanesque architecture.

• Schloss Quadenhof (Castle, approx. 75 m away)
• Schloss Roland (Castle, approx. 2398 m away)
• Rittergut Morp (Manor house and estate, approx. 2509 m away)
• Herrenhaus Mydlinghoven (Manor house and estate, approx. 3079 m away)