Gößweinstein monastery

The monastery, dedicated to Saint Francis, was founded in 1723 by Count Lothar Franz von Schönborn. Its purpose was to promote the existing pilgrimage and support the parish clergy. The Capuchins moved into the building as early as 1724. The designs were by Father Martinian, while Joh. Michael Schweßinger and Joh. Dumbach were responsible for the construction. Father Fulgenz von Saal was appointed the first guardian of the convent. In 1730, Prince-Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schönborn commissioned Balthasar Neumann to design the monumental parish and pilgrimage church of the Holy Trinity, which was consecrated in 1739. An extension on the northwest corner was added in 1790 under Guardian Guido von Vilseck. The Capuchins significantly contributed to the flourishing of the pilgrimage. During secularization, the monastery was not dissolved but served as a monastery for dying out. In 1825, Franciscans of the Bavarian Franciscan Province took over the care of the monastery and the parish. Pope Pius XII elevated the pilgrimage church to a Basilica minor in 1948. Since 2006, the monastery has been managed by Polish Franciscans of the Wrocław Province, who also serve the pilgrimage church and parish. After extensive renovation of the church from 2018 to 2023, it is now open again; the monastery building itself is also scheduled for renovation in the coming years.

The Franciscan Monastery is situated in Gößweinstein, a municipality in the Forchheim district of Bavaria, Germany.

Today, the monastery is an active religious center run by Polish Franciscans. The associated pilgrimage church, a Basilica minor, is accessible again after its renovation. The monastery building itself is awaiting a planned renovation.

• Gößweinstein Castle (Castle, approx. 278 m away)
• Kohlstein Castle (Castle, approx. 2221 m away)
• Gaillenreuth Castle (Castle, approx. 3739 m away)
• Pottenstein Castle (Castle, approx. 5084 m away)