Franciscan Abbey

The founding of the Franciscan Monastery in Neuburg an der Donau stems from a vow made by Count Palatine Philipp Wilhelm. After his first marriage remained childless and his wife passed away, he vowed in 1653 to erect a monastery and a church in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua if he were blessed with children in his second marriage. Following the birth of his first child, the Duke kept his promise. The foundation stone was laid on December 31, 1656, and on August 26, 1660, the church and monastery were consecrated. The Franciscans moved into the monastery in the founding year of 1656. On September 1, 1793, a major fire completely destroyed the church and monastery. Reconstruction was swift, and by July 30, 1794, the new church could be consecrated, followed by the reoccupation of the rebuilt monastery by the religious order on November 6, 1794. However, just nine years later, in 1803, the monastery was dissolved as part of the secularization.