Wechselburg Priory, Wechselburg, Germany

Wechselburg Benedictine Priory was dissolved in the 16th century and re-founded in 1993. Dedo V of Wettin founded the monastery, dedicated in 1168. Henry the Illustrious, Margrave of Meissen made a gift of it in 1278 to the Teutonic Order. In 1543 the abbey with all its possessions came into the hands of the territorial prince, Maurice, Elector of Saxony. It was eventually dissolved in 1570.

After the Thirty Years' War (1618–48) the lords of Schönburg built a Baroque castle on the foundations of the ruined abbey, which remained in the same family until their dispossession in 1945.

After the end of World War II the abbey church became the parish church and also a place of pilgrimage. In 1993 Benedictine monks from Ettal Abbey re-founded Wechselburg as a priory. Although the community is still small, they run a youth and family centre and are involved in pastoral care and managing the pilgrimages.

The Romanesque basilica of the Holy Cross remains as the parish church. It is famous for its huge and intricately carved medieval rood screen.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Frank Oppermann (3 years ago)
A very beautiful basilica in the interior. The look from the outside is plain and simple. The associated castle is closed due to the decay of the roof.

M H (3 years ago)
Very nice and worth a visit even in March. The basilica is also very impressive from the inside, but the best thing for me is the courtyard with the park behind it. Perfect for a picnic! ?

Antje Dngr (3 years ago)
Wechselburg

Heinrich Hasseröder (4 years ago)
Auch hier noch keine eigenen Erfahrungen.Ließ mich aber von bisherigen Rezensenten überzeugen,selbige nachzuholen.( etwa durch ausreichende fotografische Beispiele von Kloster und Park)??

Peter Zimmer (4 years ago)
Should be marketed a little better for tourism. This would certainly secure the preservation of the beautiful complex.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral

Visby Cathedral (also known as St. Mary’s Church) is the only survived medieval church in Visby. It was originally built for German merchants and inaugurated in 1225. Around the year 1350 the church was enlarged and converted into a basilica. The two-storey magazine was also added then above the nave as a warehouse for merchants.

Following the Reformation, the church was transformed into a parish church for the town of Visby. All other churches were abandoned. Shortly after the Reformation, in 1572, Gotland was made into its own Diocese, and the church designated its cathedral.

There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Wechselburg Priory

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Visby Cathedral