Propstei Berau

The site was first mentioned in connection with the demolition of a predecessor building, a small castle or fortified house belonging to the Knights of Berau, in 1597. Under Abbot Martin I of St. Blasien Abbey, a new building was erected here by the masons Peter and Anton Lorminen. This structure featured meter-thick walls, vaulted corridors, battlements, and a copper roof, which, however, fell victim to the Swedes in 1643 during the Thirty Years' War. The Provostry, similar to Berau Abbey itself, was repeatedly destroyed by fires, notably in 1577, 1666, and 1711. Following the 1711 fire, reconstruction took place under Abbot Augustinus Fink, with Caspar Moosbrugger serving as the architect. The provostry building was consistently renewed upon its massive foundations and housed an abbot's chamber, rooms for ecclesiastical dignitaries and guests, as well as staff. The estate was extensive and required numerous servants. From 1781 to 1785, the historian Hugo Schmidfeld served as provost. The entrance coat of arms displays the three bear heads of the Knights of Berau alongside that of Abbot Franz Schächtelin. The provostry was dissolved on July 4, 1807, after which its inventory was auctioned off and the estates were acquired by a farmer in 1813.

The Provostry of Berau is located in the municipality of Ühlingen-Birkendorf in the district of Waldshut, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

In 1926, the building still served as the rectory of Berau. Today, the former provostry has been renovated and divided into several apartments.

• Mandach Ruin (ruin, approx. 2243 m away)
• Riedern Monastery (sacred building, approx. 3788 m away)
• Gutenburg Ruin (ruin, approx. 4039 m away)
• Gurtweil Castle (castle, approx. 5748 m away)