St. Marx Abbey

Gueberschwihr, France

St. Marx Abbey was a Benedictine nunnery in Gueberschwihr in Alsace, founded in about 1105. Since 1845 it has been the principal house of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Marc, rebuilt in 1852 after a disastrous fire.

Before the foundation of the nunnery there had been a community of monks on the site, which came to an end after a serious fire. Abbot Theoger of St. George's (1088-1119) replaced it with the nunnery, which was made subordinate to St. George's in 1184, according to a deed of Pope Lucius III. In about 1400 a monk of St. George's was mentioned as the prior here, as were possessions of the nunnery in Geberschweier and Osenbach.

In 1710 a beer brewery was built there. In 1754 the priory was transferred from St. George's to Ebersmünster Abbey in Alsace.

In 1845 the premises, empty since the French Revolution, were used by Abbé Pierre Paul Blanck to establish a women's community under the Benedictine Rule combining the veneration of the Holy Sacrament with manual labour and the care of orphans. The buildings burnt down in 1852 and the difficulties facing the new community were so great that it seemed impossible for it to survive. Against all odds it did continue and was constituted as a formal order on 9 October 1868 with the election and appointment of Sister Maria Xavier as superior.

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Details

Founded: 1105
Category: Religious sites in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Marie Line FAURE (2 years ago)
I really enjoyed this place. Wonderful welcome, meetings with other very nice people. I think I will return for a longer stay. In addition, due to its position for a certain amount a vehicle comes to pick you up if you request it and the same for the return to Colmar station. Very nice place to recharge your batteries and live at the same pace as the nuns. Where for those who have a car to travel to Alsace as we did. The rooms are very good, and the meals are very good.
Giorgino Mylene (2 years ago)
Very beautiful place with a view of the whole valley. Everyone is adorable
Kris & (2 years ago)
Pilgrim on St Jacques walking towards the convent, I just called him to find out if he could take us because a violent storm is announced. I was turned away. No. Bravo for your Christian charity. We weren't asking for a room, just a piece of roof.
Olivier Combier (2 years ago)
If even this kind of establishment prefers to welcome groups of tourists (ok they were retirees), than pilgrims who walk on the way to Compostela! It's really a pity! Plus, she hung up on me! ?
Xara (3 years ago)
Difficult to give an opinion for a convent! The welcome and services are very warm. Small, basic rooms (cells). Large park. We had breakfast: bread and jam only. Dinner: little or no raw vegetables. Perfect for a retreat, not recommended for 6 days of "normal" residence. IMPOSSIBILITY to leave or enter the grounds of the estate between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. I wanted to go for a morning hike, I had to wait until 00:00 for the sisters to let me in!
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