Kloster Enkenbach

Enkenbach Monastery was founded in 1148 by Count Ludwig von Arnstein and Hunfried von Alsenborn. Initially conceived as a double monastery, it was a filiation of Arnstein Monastery and belonged to the Circary of Wadgassen. The Premonstratensian Order, established in 1120 by Norbert of Xanten, spread rapidly and was dedicated to the Christianization of the Slavs. The Premonstratensian nuns, a female community founded by Norbert in 1121, followed a strict monastic rule. In the 13th century, Enkenbach transformed into an exclusively women's monastery, settled by choir nuns from Marienthal. The monastery acquired possessions such as Alsenborn and the deserted Eyersheim, and in 1219, it purchased lands from the Benedictines of St. Lambrecht. It held the church patronage over the parish church of Alsenborn and Enkenbach. The monastery church, built in 1272, led to financial difficulties, necessitating the sale of some possessions. From 1404, the Electoral Palatinate assumed protective oversight. Financial struggles led to the sale of half of the villages of Enkenbach and Alsenborn to Elector Ludwig III in 1420. Around 1430, it became a monastery for men as Premonstratensian canons took over the facilities. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the monastery suffered damage. The Reformation led to its dissolution: after Provost Michael Reybold embraced Lutheran doctrine, the monastery was handed over to Elector Ottheinrich in 1557 and definitively dissolved by Friedrich III in 1564. The remaining monastic buildings were demolished after destruction during the Palatinate War of Succession.

Enkenbach Monastery is situated in the southeastern part of the municipality of Enkenbach-Alsenborn, which is part of Kaiserslautern in Rhineland-Palatinate.

A section of the former monastery church now functions as the Roman Catholic parish church for the community of Enkenbach. The nearby Hasselbrunnengraben stream is also known as the "Klosterbach" (Monastery Stream), commemorating the historical significance of the site.

• Orthsches Haus (manor house, approx. 1608 m away)
• Mehlingen Castle Ruin (castle, approx. 3486 m away)
• Diemerstein Castle Ruin (castle, approx. 6471 m away)
• Bilenstein Castle Ruin (castle, approx. 7083 m away)