Ebersmunster Abbey Church, Ebersmunster, France

Ebersmunster Abbey was a Benedictine abbey in Ebersmunster in Alsace. The Baroque abbey church of St Maurice survives.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Maurice, was founded in 667 by Saint Deodatus of Nevers on the island of Novientum in the River Ill, using relics of Saint Maurice which Deodatus had obtained from St. Maurice's Abbey. Thanks to the support of Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, father of Saint Odilia, the monastery flourished.

It was destroyed by the Swedes during the Thirty Years' War, and was not rebuilt until the early 18th century. Much of the Baroque abbey church was built by the Austrian architect Peter Thumb. The abbey was dissolved during the French Revolution and the conventual buildings were demolished. The contents of the library were taken to Strasbourg, where most of them were burnt in the market place.

The site was reoccupied in 1829 by a community of Marianist Brothers and Priests, and from 1887 by the Sisters of St Joseph of Saint-Marc.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in France

User Reviews

Jean HUBAULT (2 years ago)
Good morning Really surprised and admiring to find this place. I regularly passed nearby without suspecting this pearl of beauty, simple and moving. To discover, rediscover and make discover. What happiness!!!

Anne ROUSSELIERE (2 years ago)
Extraordinary baroque architecture for this extremely well preserved abbey where a Silbermann organ sits (listening to a concert there would be pure delight). Explanatory panels of the history of the place, very enriching. Place worth a visit

Visites en Alsace Leïla Kopff (Au cœur du patrimoine) (3 years ago)
One of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Alsace. A must-visit and leave a little something in the "trunk" at the entrance for the association which takes care of the conservation and restoration of this beautiful heritage on a voluntary basis.

brezovski Catherine (3 years ago)
Adorable

Sabine H. (4 years ago)
An impressive church and a must-see on any of our visits to Alsace. Maybe someday we can experience a concert there. In the weeks before Christmas there is a beautiful nativity scene to admire

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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.

Ebersmunster Abbey Church

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