Monastery operation
Engelthal Abbey (Altenstadt)

Kloster Engelthal in Altenstadt, situated in the Wetterau region of Hesse, Germany, is a historically significant site that has undergone a transformative history from a Cistercian nunnery to its current status as a Benedictine abbey.
History+
The foundation of Kloster Engelthal dates back to 1268. It was established as a Cistercian nunnery and dedicated to Assumptio Mariae, Peter, and Paul. Until its dissolution in 1803, the Cistercian order shaped monastic life. During the Thirty Years' War, the complex suffered severe damage, leading to an extensive reconstruction phase between 1666 and 1750 in the late Baroque style. During this period, the monastery acquired its present architectural form, including the church, convent, and economic buildings, as well as an abbess's residence. The secularization in 1803 brought an end to the Cistercian nunnery. In 1952, the Diocese of Mainz acquired the cloister area, and in 1962, the complex was re-inhabited by Benedictine nuns of the Beuron Congregation, who elevated the monastery to an abbey again in 1965.
Location+
Kloster Engelthal is located in the municipality of Altenstadt in the Wetterau, a region in Hesse, Germany. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 162 meters above sea level.
On site+
Today, the monastery is inhabited and utilized by Benedictine nuns. In addition to accommodating and caring for guests, the sisters operate a restoration workshop for ecclesiastical art. In 2010, a large new building was completed, integrating ecological aspects of energy supply, particularly a geothermal heating system. The church, which already served as a Roman Catholic parish church before secularization, has been preserved.
Nearby+
- Schloss Günderrode (castle, approx. 2013 m away)
- Schloss Stammheim (castle, approx. 3063 m away)
- Kloster Rodenbach (monastery, approx. 3635 m away)
- Cyriacuskloster Naumburg (monastery, approx. 5221 m away)
Take Mobile History with you
You are reading this text for free. Premium adds what matters on the road: descriptions read aloud, sites found through your camera, whole regions taken offline.
- Every description, including the ~17,700 Premium sites
- Audio guide: have descriptions read to you on location
- AR finder: see sites through your camera, with distance and bearing
- Unlimited saved sites
14 days free, then from €2.99 a month. Cancel anytime.
Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 50.2826, 8.9131