Benediktbeuern Abbey

The origins of Benediktbeuern Abbey date back to the 8th century. It was founded between 725 and 728 by Charles Martel as a secular stronghold and control station, before being consecrated as a Benedictine abbey around 739/740. The monastery experienced an early flourishing period with a writing and teaching school. In 955, the complex suffered destruction by the Magyars, but was later rebuilt by Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg and re-settled in 1031. Under Abbot Gothelm, the writing school experienced a renewed heyday, and botanical research as well as medicinal herb gardens are also documented around 1200. Between 1669 and 1679, the monastery acquired its present Baroque form, and the abbey church of St. Benedict was rebuilt starting in 1672.