Franziskanerinnenkloster St. Maria de Victoria

The city of Biberach, a former free imperial city, was historically notable as no male monasteries were able to establish themselves permanently within its walls. Instead, two convents for women are documented, including the Franciscan convent of Sta. Maria de Victoria, which existed since 1365. In 1477, the city administration affirmed its desire to prevent the emergence of further monasteries and to retain control over the Holy Spirit Hospital and the parish church of St. Maria and Martin. The sisters' livelihood was based on donations, bequests, tax-exempt wax trade, and weaving. In the year of its founding, Adelheid Schnell, the widow of Conz, donated a dwelling for a convent limited to five sisters. In 1406, the sisters received the rule of the Third Order of Franciscans. Despite the restrictions imposed by the city, the convent flourished. A larger house was acquired in 1467, and by 1477, the convent numbered eight sisters. An internal dispute led to the appointment of a new superior by the city. In 1490, the sisters expanded their economic base by acquiring an adjacent farmstead. In 1524, they received a small estate in Langenschemmern as an anniversary foundation.

During the Reformation, the sisters remained true to their faith and were subsequently expelled from the city, finding refuge in the Buchau Abbey for noblewomen. Following the defeat of the Schmalkaldic League in 1546 and the recapture of Protestant territories by imperial troops, the sisters were forcibly returned to the city. In 1647, the convent was able to lend the city three thousand guilders. On June 27, 1697, the foundation stone was laid for a new convent and church. The first mass in the newly built convent church was read on July 2, 1699. Bernhardin von Pichlmayer, the imperial postmaster of Ulm, donated the high altar of the convent church, which was erected on September 30, 1704. The sisters' attempts to acquire surrounding houses led to disputes with the Protestant magistrate, which even reached the Imperial Aulic Council in Vienna. The purchase of the Biberach Steigmühle and the conversion of the convent's chaplaincy into a preceptorate chaplaincy in connection with the establishment of a higher Latin educational institution in 1775 were also challenged before the Imperial Aulic Council. The church of the Franciscan convent was demolished in the spring of 1812 by order of the King of Württemberg.

The former Franciscan convent was located in the city of Biberach an der Riß, a town in Upper Swabia, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

The original convent buildings now house the Biberach District Court and the Biberach branch office of the State Building Authority I Ulm. The convent church was demolished in 1812.

• Mittelbiberach Castle (castle, approx. 3404 m away)
• Warthausen Castle (castle, approx. 3519 m away)
• Königshofen Castle (castle, approx. 4654 m away)
• Ummendorf Castle (castle, approx. 5201 m away)