Obermarsberg Abbey

The Obermarsberg Monastery was founded in the late 8th century, possibly as early as 785 or 799, by Charlemagne on the Eresburg. Initially, a wooden church was built, later replaced by a stone basilica. Pope Leo III visited the complex in 799 and confirmed the rights granted by Charlemagne. In 826, the community was affiliated with Corvey Abbey but continued as a provostry with its own monastic community. In 938, a tragic event occurred in the collegiate church when King Otto's half-brother Thankmar was killed at the altar. After fires in 1230, 1319, and 1330, the current collegiate church was built in Gothic style from 1240 onwards, on the foundations of the Romanesque predecessor. During the Thirty Years' War, the complex was almost completely destroyed in 1646 but rebuilt after 1669 under Provost Ferdinand von Metternich. The monastery was dissolved in 1803.