Pfaffenmünster Monastery

The origins of St. Tiburtius Monastery date back to the 8th century, when it was founded by members of the Agilolfinger, a local noble family. However, this first foundation came to an end no later than the 10th century during the Hungarian invasions. A new settlement took place in 1157, when Duke Heinrich (Jasomirgott) relocated the canons, who had previously resided in Metten Monastery, to Pfaffenmünster. The monastery developed into a collegiate foundation, a community of secular priests dedicated to pastoral care. The Romanesque collegiate church dates from this period of resettlement. In 1581, by order of Duke Wilhelm V the Pious, the foundation was transferred to St. Jakob's Church in Straubing, where it was finally secularized in 1803.

The former Pfaffenmünster Monastery is situated in Münster, a district of the municipality of Steinach, in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria. Its geographical elevation is approximately 345 meters above sea level.

The former collegiate church of St. Tiburtius, a three-aisled Romanesque pillar basilica from the late 12th century, has largely retained its original character. A restrained Baroque renovation in 1739 added a cloister vault in the crossing, an organ gallery in the west, as well as frescoes and new altars. The frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St. Tiburtius are attributed to Johann Adam Schöpf, while the Pietà is believed to be by Mathias Obermayr. Opposite the collegiate church is the small Romanesque church of St. Martin, also built in the late 12th century and renovated in the 18th century. The late Gothic rectory probably served as a provost's residence before the foundation was moved.

• Ruine Neues Schloss Steinach (ruin, approx. 1194 m away)
• Schloss Steinach (castle, approx. 2536 m away)
• Schloss Saulburg (castle, approx. 4401 m away)
• Burg Falkenfels (castle, approx. 5720 m away)