Monastery operation
MonasteryHöchst
Höchst Abbey
Kloster Höchst, a significant sacred building in Höchst im Odenwald, was once an Augustinian nunnery affiliated with Fulda Abbey. It is characterized by its long and eventful history, marked by religious reoccupation, the Reformation, and later use as an evangelical youth center. Today, it serves as a youth education center and houses remarkable artifacts in its former monastery church, including 14th-century gravestones and several altars.
History+
The foundation of Kloster Höchst occurred between 1177 and 1244 by Fulda Abbey, which at that time held extensive properties in the northern Odenwald, including Breuberg Castle. Initially inhabited by Augustinian nuns, the last nun left the monastery in 1503. A reoccupation with Benedictine nuns took place in 1511. In the course of the Reformation, the monastery was dissolved in 1568 and continued as an evangelical monastery fund. After a tumultuous history, which included its violent seizure during the Thirty Years' War, the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 restored its original status. Since 1957, the complex has been owned by the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau and has been used as a youth education center since 2004.
Location+
Kloster Höchst is located in Höchst im Odenwald, in the federal state of Hesse, Germany. It stands at an elevation of approximately 170 m above sea level.
On site+
Today, Kloster Höchst operates as a youth education center. Visitors can explore the former monastery and current parish church, which contains 14th-century gravestones and altars from both the Augustinian and Benedictine periods. A particular highlight is the sandstone sculpture of the “Höchster Klosterlöwe” (Höchst Monastery Lion), dating from around 1200, found in the monastery courtyard.
Nearby+
- Carlsruhe Castle (Sandbach) (Castle), approx. 2.7 km away
- Nauses Castle (Castle), approx. 2.7 km away
- Pretlack Palace (Rimhorn) (Residence), approx. 3.6 km away
- Breuberg Castle (Neustadt) (Castle), approx. 4.0 km away
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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: 49.8005, 8.9937