Cappel Abbey

The foundation of Kloster Cappel is dated to around 1140, with the first documented mention appearing in 1196. It was dedicated to Saints Mary and Andrew. Originally belonging to the Diocese of Münster, it later transferred to the Archdiocese of Cologne. In the 16th century, following the Reformation, the monastery gradually transformed into a secular, evangelical women's collegiate foundation. The official conversion took place in 1588, after the last Catholic provost had left the monastery. Attempts at counter-reformation failed. The Catholic Church officially dissolved the monastery in 1639, with the Catholic tradition continuing in the provostry of Eikeloh until 1659. The Protestant women's collegiate foundation of Cappel existed until 1971, when it was merged with the St. Marien foundation in Lemgo.

The former Kloster Cappel is situated in Cappel, a district of the city of Lippstadt in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 78 meters above sea level.

The western structure of the former monastery, with its two towers, dates from the mid-12th century. The nave was added later, resulting in a Romanesque pillar basilica by the end of the 12th century. Parts of the side aisles and apses were demolished before 1691. Extensive restorations took place in the 19th century and the 1950s. Between 1976 and 1980, later additions and alterations were removed to restore the original architectural state.

• Overhagen Castle (castle, approx. 2715 m away)
• Herringhausen Castle (castle, approx. 2972 m away)
• Lippstadt Women's Collegiate Foundation (monastery, approx. 3037 m away)
• Augustinian Canonesses' Collegiate Foundation Lippstadt (monastery, approx. 3039 m away)