Kreuztal Marburghausen Abbey

The Kreuztal Marburghausen Monastery is a former Cistercian nunnery in the Mariaburghausen district of the city of Haßfurt in Bavaria, in the Diocese of Würzburg.

The monastery, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded by Abbess Jutta von Heiligental in the 13th century. She had founded a daughter monastery of the Cistercian nuns of Heiligenthal Monastery in Kreuzthal in 1237. However, due to its very remote location, it was relocated in 1243 to the newly founded Mariaburghausen Monastery (then still called Marcburghusa). It was a noble women's convent, meaning only noble women and girls were admitted. This led to strong support for the monastery from noble families. Further income flowed from the indulgences customary at the time. Due to its strong economic position, relics could be acquired, which attracted believers. The monastery soon attained the status of a pilgrimage site.

Towards the end of the Middle Ages, monastic discipline had become so lax that there is talk of sharp episcopal visitations in the years 1492 and 1498. During the Peasants' War from 1524, the monastery suffered great losses. The relics and other valuable goods were to be brought to safety in Würzburg to the Marienberg Fortress. However, they never arrived there. Due to further severe burdens on the monastery, the number of nuns decreased sharply. From 1543, Abbess Ursula von Rotenstein was the only nun remaining in the monastery. With her death in 1582, Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, Prince-Bishop of Würzburg, dissolved the monastery. The income was assigned to the University of Würzburg.

The university still receives income from the Mariaburghausen properties today.