Kaufungen Abbey

The founding of Kaufungen Monastery took place in 1017 by Empress Kunigunde. Construction began after Kunigunde made a vow to found a monastery during a stay at her royal court in Kaufungen, which she had received from Emperor Henry II as a widow's estate in 1008. After the death of her husband in 1024, Kunigunde retired to the monastery as a nun and died there in 1033. The monastery church was consecrated in 1025. Until 1089, Kaufungen was an imperial monastery, then briefly subject to the Bishop of Speyer, before regaining its independence in the 12th century and transforming into a secular convent for noblewomen. In the 16th century, it was affiliated with the Bursfelde Congregation, but was dissolved in 1527 as a result of the Reformation. In 1532, its possessions were transferred to the Hessian Knighthood for the support of noblewomen and it continues to exist today as the Knightly Foundation of Kaufungen.