Biburg Abbey

The origins of the monastery date back to 1125, when Konrad and Arbeo, sons of Count Heinrich I of Sittling and his wife Bertha, transferred their Biburg Castle to Bamberg Cathedral. This was done at the request of their mother Bertha, who is considered the founder of the monastery. Construction of the church began as early as 1125, and it was provisionally consecrated in 1133. In 1140, the entire monastic complex was finally consecrated by Bishops Heinrich of Regensburg and Egilbert of Bamberg. Eberhard of Sittling and Biburg, another son of Bertha, became the first abbot, while his elder brother Ulrich served as Vogt. Originally conceived as a double monastery for men and women, the women's section was not rebuilt after a fire in 1278. By the end of the 13th century, economic difficulties led to the sale of assets. After 1400, the monks left the monastery during the Reformation.