Frauenalb Monastery

The founding of Frauenalb Monastery took place shortly before 1185 by the Counts of Eberstein as a convent for noble Benedictine nuns. An older founding legend, which mentions the year 1134 or 1135 and names Albrecht von Zimmern and Berthold von Eberstein as founders, was already doubted by historians in the 19th century. The convent exclusively admitted daughters from noble families, who were often housed there at a young age. Eberhard III von Eberstein, together with his mother Uta, endowed the monastery between 1180 and 1185. In the 14th century, the vogtei passed to the Margraves of Baden. A fire in 1508 destroyed large parts of the Gothic monastery building; only the church and the infirmary remained. After reconstruction, the monastery was plundered in 1525 during the Peasants' War but quickly regained its prosperity due to its extensive possessions. In 1598, Frauenalb was dissolved by Margrave Ernst Friedrich, and in 1605, the last canoness left the complex. During the Thirty Years' War, the abbey was reoccupied by Benedictine nuns in 1631, who, however, had to flee in 1634 and could only return in 1645. Between 1696 and 1704, a new three-story convent building was erected, and under Abbess Gertrudis von Ichtrazheim, a new double-towered monastery church was completed in 1751.

The Frauenalb monastery ruin is situated in the upper Alb Valley, north of Bad Herrenalb, within the municipality of Marxzell in the Karlsruhe district, Baden-Württemberg. The historical border between Baden and Württemberg, which is now the district border, is marked near the ruin on the monastery path.

Today, the complex is a monastery ruin surrounded by a few houses. A historical border with signs and a “Zollhäusle” (customs house) offers insights into its history.

• Herrenalb Monastery (sacred building, approx. 4215 m away)
• Waldenfels Castle Ruin (castle, approx. 8294 m away)
• Rudmersbach Castle (castle, approx. 8602 m away)
• Langensteinbach Castle Ruin (castle, approx. 8979 m away)