Kloster Maria Stern

The founding of Essig Abbey occurred around 1439, following the construction of a hospital, a chapel, and a pauper's cemetery on donated land starting in 1432. These early structures were initiated by Johann von Schleiden and Anna von Blankenheim, with the approval of the parish priest of Odendorf granted in September 1432. The chapel, dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint James, was transferred to the Order of the Most Holy Savior in 1446. The abbey was strategically located on the Way of St. James and the Aachen-Frankfurt military road, providing shelter and assistance to traveling pilgrims. Initially managed by the Bridgettines, Cologne Augustinian Canonesses took over the convent in 1454. In 1551, the abbey was placed under the authority of the Abbot of Steinfeld. From 1663 or 1666, it was finally inhabited by Premonstratensian nuns. The secularization in 1802 led to the dissolution of the abbey. The buildings were auctioned, the inventory dispersed, and the abbey chapel demolished in 1804. The majority of the abbey buildings were razed in 1905.

The former Maria Stern Abbey is situated in the village of Essig, which belongs to the municipality of Swisttal in the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis. This region is located in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.

Today, only a few structural elements of the former abbey complex remain. These include parts of the surrounding wall and a baroque gable of the main house from the late 17th century, whose weather vane displays the Maria Star. Parts of an outbuilding are also still present. Since 1992, these remnants have been listed as protected monuments. The former abbey grounds now host a funeral home and a tree nursery.

• Odendorf Castle (castle, approx. 1163 m away)
• Miel Castle (castle, approx. 2408 m away)
• Miel Ruin (ruin, approx. 2560 m away)
• Kleeburg Castle (castle, approx. 3863 m away)