Hornbach Abbey

Hornbach Monastery was founded around 741 by Saint Pirminius. Count Warnharius of the Widonen family endowed the construction, which was confirmed by Bishop Sigibald of Metz. As a proprietary monastery of the Salians, it enjoyed extensive privileges. After his death in 753, Saint Pirminius was buried here. In the 11th century, a pillar basilica was built. Emperor Henry V granted the monastery the right to mint coins. Its decline began when it fell under the influence of the Counts of Zweibrücken, and in the course of the Reformation, the monastery was dissolved in 1557. The buildings then served as a princely state school, which was relocated in 1631, after which the complex fell into disrepair and was destroyed by wars.