Kapuzinerkloster Cochem

The origins of the monastery date back to 1623, when the abandoned site of Kemplon Castle was gifted to the Capuchins by Elector Lothar von Metternich. Through the mediation of Father Cornelius von Enscheid, Fathers Vincenz von Vianden and Lucas von Maring received the area. In the same year, adjacent gardens were added through donations from Cochem widows. With collected donations of around 700 guilders and further contributions, construction began in 1625, after the massive round tower of the former Kemplon Castle and a rock had been removed to level the site. The foundation stone was laid on behalf of Elector Philipp Christoph von Sötern by Abbot Johann Eberhard von Deusternau. The plans for the monastery church and an infirmary came from the Capuchin Michael von Gent. A simple two-story cell wing with a refectory, kitchen, and monastery cells was built around a square cloister. Financial bottlenecks led to a temporary halt in construction in 1626, which was overcome by the pledge of Johann Jacob von Eltz-Kempenich and his wife Maria Elisabeth, née von Metzenhausen, as founders. After the completion of the church, infirmary, and east wing in 1628, work paused between 1632 and 1634 due to sieges of Cochem. The solemn consecration of the monastery church and two altars in the name of St. Claudius Byzantinus took place on July 18, 1635. Subsequently, the north wing was added with a porter's lodge, parlors, and guest rooms. The monastery garden was walled in 1637, and in 1753, a guest wing was added to the east wing.

The former Capuchin Monastery is situated in the town of Cochem, in the district of Cochem-Zell, in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Following extensive renovations and alterations, the complex has served as the