Gerlachsheim Monastery

The former monastery in Gerlachsheim

The Gerlachsheim Monastery , also called the Premonstratensian Priory of Gerlachsheim , after 1803 Gerlachsheim Castle , is a former women's and later men's monastery of the Premonstratensian order in Gerlachsheim in the Main-Tauber district . The adjacent park, which was previously used as a monastery garden, also belongs to the monastery.

history

In 1209 the monastery was first mentioned in its current location (deed of donation from Siboto von Luden). But it probably existed as a Premonstratensian monastery from 1187 to 1197. At that time, 20 nuns and servants lived in the monastery. They lived from the adjacent vineyard, today the Herrenberg, and the nearby forest. The founding family, their successors and many nobles considered the monastery at this time. That was also the group of people who made up the nuns. In 1254 it became clear in a document from Pope Innocent IV that the monastery belonged to the Premonstratensian order. In 1261 the monastery district was partially destroyed by the Archbishop of Mainz, Werner von Eppstein ; in the Peasants' War even greater damage was caused. After several transfers of ownership, the monastery came back into the possession of the Würzburg monastery for 25,000 guilders . Before the death of the Würzburg bishop, he subordinated the monastery to his master. In 1359 31 nuns lived in the monastery; above that there is a list of names. The masters at the time also came from the neighboring noble families. From 1260 to 1549 there were 20 different female masters, five of whom were Wertheimer's daughters . More than 30 nuns lived there in the heyday of the monastery, but at the beginning of the 16th century the number fell noticeably, until at the end only the master and one other person were resident there. In 1563 the prince-bishop of Würzburg , Friedrich von Wirsberg , abolished the Gerlachsheim monastery and took over the administration of the property. From 1699, Abbot Gottfried Hammerich led a persistent process to return the monastery to Oberzell.

It was not until 1717 that the Premonstratensian order got the monastery back and founded the Gerlachsheim priory of the Oberzell men's monastery . Initially 12 and later up to 17 monks lived there. Since the old monastery buildings and the associated church fell into disrepair, the monastery and parish church was rebuilt from 1723 to 1728. This was inaugurated in 1730.

In 1803 the monastery buildings were awarded to the old count von Salm-Reifferscheidt-Bedburg . This happened through the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss . With that the convention was abolished. In 1806 the monastery buildings served as the administrative seat and castle. In 1838, the state of Baden acquired the building and opened an institution for the deaf and dumb in 1874, which was closed in 1935. In World War II forced relocated Slovenes lived in it. After the war, it served as a reception center for displaced persons before the Main-Tauber district used it as a retirement home from 1952. In 2016 the district nursing home and retirement home was relocated. After the monastery was temporarily empty, it now houses a doctor's practice, the Sardinian school and a vocational preparation class.

Todays use

It belongs to the state of Baden-Württemberg , currently it houses a doctor's practice, the Sardinian school and a vocational preparation class. After the long lease expires, it will be returned to the country in 2023. Template: future / in 3 yearsThe park is open to the public and can be visited permanently. In winter, the Advent magic has been held there for years on the first weekend in Advent, when the facade of the monastery shines in bright colors.

Former monastery church

The baroque church Heilig Kreuz in Gerlachsheim

The former monastery church is now the Roman Catholic Holy Cross Church in Gerlachsheim . The baroque church is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in Germany.

Views of the Church

Front view
Rear view
Side view
Front view of the church
Detail view of the roof
Wide view

literature

Martin Ritter, contributions to the history of the Gerlachsheim Premonstratensian Monastery. Some previously unknown documents pertaining to the monastery of Gerlachsheim, in: Freiburger Diözesan-Archiv 122 (2002)
The older literature in Norbert Backmund, Monasticon Praemonstratense, Volume 1, Berlin 1983
Festschrift for the 250th anniversary of the consecration of the former monastery and parish church Heilig-Kreuz Gerlachsheim, Lauda 1990.
Georg Dehio, Handbook of German Art Monuments, Baden-Württemberg, Munich-Berlin 1964
Gerlachsheim parish church Heilig-Kreuz-the Johann-Philipp-Seuffert-Organ, Lauda-Königshofen 1990.
Jutta Betz, Gerlachsheim, Catholic parish church Heilig-Kreuz - former Premonstratensian monastery church, Passau 2000 (Peda-Kunstführer 489), ISBN 978-3-8964-3147-9
For information about the former monastery in the journal "Analecta Praemonstatensia" see the register volume "Index generalis" for the years 1968 to 1999 (prepared by Ulrich Leinsle), Averbode 2002
Bernard Ardura, Regestum Archivi antiqui Curiae Generalitiae Ordinis Praemonstratensis in Urbe, Averbode 2006

Original document of the first mention of Gerlachsheim and the monastery (Generallandesarchiv Karlsruhe 43Nr. 1855), printed in: Festschrift 800 Jahre Gerlachsheim. 2009 (292 pages), p. 7f.

Web links

Commons : Gerlachsheim Monastery - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

^ Gerlachsheim Castle in Lauda-Königshofen-Gerlachsheim. In: alleburgen.de. Retrieved August 13, 2020 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Taubertal.de: The former monastery church . Online at www.taubertal.de. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e www.kloester-bw.de: The former monastery . Online at www.kloester-bw.de. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
↑ Heimat- und Kulturverein Dittwar e. V .: Abbot Gottfried Hammerich . Online at www.hkvdittwar.de. Retrieved May 16, 2015.