Frauenzell Abbey

The origins of Frauenzell Monastery date back to the early 14th century, when hermits Gottfried Puecher and Albert Tuntzlinger settled in the forests near Brennberg around 1312. Count Reimar IV of Brennberg donated land for the construction of cells and a church between 1317 and 1320. Bishop Nikolaus of Regensburg confirmed the donation in 1324 and placed the hermits under the Benedictine rule and the supervision of Oberalteich Monastery. At the church consecration in 1325, the Mother of God Mary was designated as the patroness, giving rise to the name “Frauenzell”. In 1351, Frauenzell was elevated to a priory and in 1424 achieved the status of an abbey. Under the first abbot Konrad Pläbl, new monastery buildings were constructed. After a period of decline during the Reformation and the deposition of Abbot Vitus Beck in 1522, the monastery was restored in 1582 by Bishop Cardinal Duke Philipp and re-settled by Oberalteich.