Mariawald Abbey

The origins of Mariawald Monastery date back to 1486, when the first community of monks occupied the newly built monastery. Its foundation stems from a Pietà placed in the forest by a thatched roofer, which became a pilgrimage site. Initially, a wooden chapel was built, later replaced by a wooden church. The Cistercian Order took over the care of the pilgrimage, and in 1480, the church was donated to the order. A stone church replaced the wooden structure from 1494 and was consecrated in 1539. The following hundred years were marked by wars, especially the Thirty Years' War. A period of recovery ended with the French Revolution. In 1795, the monastery was dissolved and its possessions auctioned off. The historic Pietà was transferred to the parish church of Heimbach.