Volkersberg Abbey

Volkersberg Monastery is a monastery of the Observant Franciscans in Bad Brückenau, Bavaria, in the Diocese of Würzburg.

The first documented mention of Volkersberg dates back to 1160 in the property register of the Benedictine monastery of Frauenberg near Fulda. In 1378, a chapel on the mountain was mentioned for the first time. In 1450, a Brotherhood of the Cross was founded. Until 1499, hermits lived on the mountain to cater to the increasing number of pilgrims.

During the Reformation and the Thirty Years' War, the number of pilgrims decreased sharply. In the mid-17th century, Volkersberg once again became a popular pilgrimage site. Approximately 25 miracles contributed to this between 1658 and 1672, including the healing of the lame Elisabeth Hillenbrand from Riedenberg in 1665.

The monastery, dedicated to the Finding of the True Cross, was founded by Count Joachim von Grafenegg, Prince-Abbot of Fulda, in 1658. In 1659, Grafenegg gifted the Franciscans on Volkersberg a particle of the cross, and two years later, the foundation stone for the monastery was laid, which was built according to the plans of Br. Daniel Hollingshofen from Altstadt Monastery. In 1664, the construction of the church began. In 1678, the monastery was consecrated, and twelve years later, an inn was built to accommodate pilgrims.

In 1707, the church was expanded, and three years later, the monastery. At the beginning of the 18th century, 60 Franciscans lived in Volkersberg Monastery. In 1752, a new, baroque inn was built, and three years later, a Way of the Cross with 14 stations was consecrated.

The secularization of the Prince-Bishopric of Fulda in 1803 bypassed Volkersberg Monastery, as it was deemed too poor. In 1816, Volkersberg was assigned to Bavaria, and since 1821, the monastery has belonged to the Diocese of Würzburg. The number of pilgrims subsequently continued to decline, so that the Poor School Sisters from Munich established a "rescue institution" for girls in the old inn in 1859.

In 1921, the monastery was taken over by the Missionary Dominican Sisters from Neustadt am Main. They established their postulancy there until 1955. Afterwards, the monastery in the old inn was sold to the diocese, which opened a youth center and the Catholic Rural Adult Education Center in the premises in 1956. Just one year later, the Dominican Sisters returned to Volkersberg. In 1966, the monks of the Franciscan monastery left Volkersberg. The diocese then bought all the buildings and used them as an extension of the Rural Adult Education Center. The monastery church was converted into a parish church for Volkers.

Since 2002, the facilities have operated as "Haus Volkersberg". The offerings range from experiential education for children and young people and educational programs for adults within the framework of the Catholic Rural Adult Education Center to recreational offerings such as a sensory garden, Franciscan terrace gardens, and a high ropes course.

The monastic tradition is currently continued by two sisters of the "Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena".