Kloster Gerlachsheim

The first documented mention of the monastery at its current location occurred in 1209 through a deed of gift from Siboto von Luden, although its founding as a Premonstratensian convent likely took place between 1187 and 1197. Originally, the monastery housed about 20 nuns and their servants, who sustained themselves through the adjacent vineyard and nearby forest. Numerous noble families, including the founders, supported the monastery and often provided the nuns. In 1254, Pope Innocent IV confirmed the monastery's affiliation with the Premonstratensian Order. Throughout its history, the monastery suffered multiple destructions, including in 1261 by Archbishop Werner von Eppstein of Mainz and later during the Peasants' War. After periods of changing ownership, it returned to the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg for 25,000 guilders. The monastery's heyday, when over 30 nuns lived there, ended in the early 16th century with a significant decline in membership. In 1563, Prince-Bishop Friedrich von Wirsberg dissolved the monastery and managed its assets. It was not until 1717, after a long legal dispute, that the monastery was returned to the Premonstratensian Order and re-established as a priory of the men's monastery of Oberzell. From 1723 to 1728, the dilapidated monastery and parish church were rebuilt, and consecrated in 1730. As a result of the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss in 1803, the convent was dissolved, and the buildings were awarded to Count Franz Wilhelm zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Bedburg, who used them as an administrative seat and castle from 1806. After being acquired by the state of Baden in 1838, the complex served as an institution for the deaf from 1874, later as a refugee camp, and from 1952 as a retirement home for the Main-Tauber district.

Kloster Gerlachsheim is situated in the village of Gerlachsheim within the Main-Tauber district, a region in the northeastern part of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

The former monastery buildings, owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg, now house a doctor's practice, the Nardinischule, and a vocational preparation class. The associated park, formerly the monastery garden, is open to the public. The former monastery church now serves as the Roman Catholic Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche Gerlachsheim and is considered a significant example of Baroque church architecture.

• Zobelschloss (Castle, approx. 3006 m away)
• Burgrest Oberlauda (Castle ruin, approx. 3485 m away)
• Schloss Grünsfeld (Castle, approx. 3628 m away)
• Schloss Messelhausen (Castle, approx. 4914 m away)