St. Stephen's Abbey

The origins of St. Stephan Monastery date back to 901, when a church dedicated to Saint Stephen was established outside the northern city walls of Augsburg. This was initiated by Archdeacon Amalrich, his nephew Walther, and Elesinde through endowments of property. In 969, Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg founded a convent for women at this site and appointed Elesinde as its first abbess. It is presumed that the nuns lived according to the Benedictine Rule. The monastery suffered destruction by fires in 1059 and 1205. In the 13th or 14th century, the convent transformed into a canoness foundation, whose choir women lived according to the Augustinian Rule without monastic vows. In the 15th century, a further transformation occurred into a secular collegiate foundation for noblewomen, who owned private residences and were permitted to marry. However, these relaxed rules were tightened again at the end of the 16th century. After its dissolution in 1803, the monastery was refounded as a Benedictine abbey in 1835.

St. Stephan Monastery is located in the city of Augsburg in Bavaria, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 492 m above sea level. It is integrated into the historic urban fabric.

Today, St. Stephan serves as a Benedictine abbey within the Diocese of Augsburg and is part of the Bavarian Benedictine Congregation. The Abbey Church of St. Stephan was rebuilt after its destruction in the Second World War. To the north of the monastery lies the Gymnasium bei St. Stephan.

• Episcopal Palace Augsburg (Residence, approx. 420 m away)
• Cathedral of Our Lady (Sacred building, approx. 430 m away)
• Augsburg City Fortifications (City fortifications, approx. 499 m away)
• St. Georg Monastery (Sacred building, approx. 519 m away)