Kloster auf dem Kreuzberg in Pleystein

The establishment of the monastery is attributed to the initiative of Benedictine Father Ildephons Lehner, who dedicated his life to founding a religious settlement in his hometown of Pleystein. From 1858, an early mass benefice was designated as the financial basis for a future monastery. Initial negotiations with the Capuchins failed, as did later discussions with Franciscans, Servites, and Redemptorists, as the financial resources were deemed insufficient. A decisive turning point came with a donation from Johann Kam from Buffalo in 1896, later increased to 30,000 Marks, as well as other significant contributions, including 10,000 Marks from Kunigunde Schrobenhauser. On this basis, the municipal council was able to enter into negotiations with the Augustinian Order, which were successfully concluded in 1898. The building permit for the monastery was granted in February 1901. After a city fire destroyed the Kreuzberg Church in July 1901, reconstruction of the church began in the same year. The monastery building, designed by Joseph Koch and Heinrich Hauberrisser, was structurally complete in 1902 and ready for occupancy in 1903. In August 1903, the Augustinian fathers moved in. In 1965, the order had to leave the monastery due to a lack of new recruits. Shortly thereafter, the Salesians took over the monastery, reoccupying it with twelve religious members and also taking charge of the Pleystein parish from 1966.

The Pleystein Monastery is situated on the Kreuzberg in the town of Pleystein, within the Bavarian district of Neustadt a.d.Waldnaab in the Upper Palatinate.

The monastery complex presents itself as a multi-winged, two-story building with hip roofs and a Neo-Baroque facade design. A distinctive round corner tower to the south is topped with a bell-shaped dome, and the round-arched portal is adorned with a curvilinear gable. The monastery underwent extensive renovation between 2015 and 2016 and is currently used by the Salesians.

• Hammerschloss (Castle, approx. 5528 m away)
• Schloss Friedrichsburg (Castle, approx. 5676 m away)
• Schloss Burgtreswitz (Castle, approx. 5919 m away)
• Schloss Frankenreuth (Castle, approx. 6757 m away)