Franziskanerinnenkloster Leutkirch im Allgäu

The origins of the Tertiary community in Leutkirch date back to the 14th century. An earlier presumed connection to the Augustinian nuns is now considered unlikely, despite 17th and 18th-century chronicles often intertwining the histories of the Leutkirch and Memmingen convents. In 1444, the Franciscan Convent in Memmingen emerged from the Leutkirch community. After the Leutkirch convent became extinct in 1486, it was revitalized by a sister from Memmingen. Bishop Otto IV von Sonnenberg confirmed the refoundation and adherence to the Third Order Rule. Papal confirmation as Tertiaries was granted in 1494. From its inception, the convent was subordinate to the Franciscan monastery of Lenzfried. The local parish priest served as confessor for the cloistered nuns. From 1503, the convent was under the secular supervision of the Imperial City of Leutkirch. A larger convent building was constructed in 1503. Although Leutkirch embraced the Reformation in 1546 and the adjacent St. Martin's Church became Protestant, the convent managed to persist. Between 1617 and 1618, it was expanded due to increasing numbers of nuns, with Jodocus Beer and later Franz Beer from the Auer Guild overseeing the construction. During the Thirty Years' War, the number of nuns significantly decreased due to the plague. As part of the secularization, the convent initially fell to the Teutonic Order in 1803 and was dissolved by the Bavarian king in 1804. The nuns were permitted to reside in the convent until 1812, after which they were required to move out by order of the King of Württemberg.

The convent is situated in Leutkirch im Allgäu, a town in the Ravensburg district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located at an elevation of approximately 667 meters above sea level.

After its dissolution, the former convent building was initially used as a residential and school building. Today, it serves exclusively for residential purposes, housing senior-friendly apartments.

• Hummelsberg Castle (castle, approx. 284 m away)
• Unterzeil Castle (castle, approx. 3996 m away)
• Zeil Castle (castle, approx. 5045 m away)
• Altmannshofen Castle (castle, approx. 6981 m away)