Oberzell Abbey

The foundation of Kloster Oberzell took place in 1128 by Johannes, a cathedral canon, and his brother Heinrich. The Premonstratensian monastery, dedicated to Archangel Michael, was established at the instigation of the order's founder, Norbert of Xanten. Initially conceived as a double monastery, the convent for women was relocated around 1230 to the newly founded Kloster Unterzell. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the monastery suffered looting. From 1562, it came under the administration of the Prince-Bishops of the Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg. Oberzell experienced a flourishing period under Abbot Oswald Loschert (1747–1785), during which the renowned architect Balthasar Neumann created the Baroque new building. Until the secularization in 1803, it was the only Premonstratensian abbey in Franconia. Following its dissolution during the secularization of 1803, the monastic estate was expropriated, and the church was desacralized. From 1817, the monastery buildings served as the site for a printing press factory. In 1901, the Congregation of the Holy Childhood of Jesus acquired the monastery, which has functioned as the motherhouse of the Zeller Sisters since 1924.

Kloster Oberzell is located in Zell am Main, part of Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 189 meters above sea level directly on the banks of the Main River.

Today, Kloster Oberzell is the motherhouse of a Franciscan community of women. The church, after being reacquired by the congregation, was restored to its original purpose in 1905. A well-known herb garden, established in 1990, is one of Germany's largest monastic gardens with around 100 plant species and has collaborated with the Würzburg research group for monastic medicine since 1999.

• Antoniusheim, monastery (approx. 150 m away)
• Former cloister courtyard of the Premonstratensian convent Unterzell (approx. 1131 m away)
• Kloster Unterzell (approx. 1166 m away)
• Former monastery garden (approx. 1170 m away)