Riechenberg Abbey

The foundation of Riechenberg Monastery took place in 1117. Originally planned as a Benedictine monastery, it quickly developed into an Augustinian Canons Regular foundation under the patronage of the Mother of God Mary and Saint Andrew. Under Provost Gerhard (approx. 1126–1150), the foundation gained supra-regional importance and benefited from its connections to Emperor Lothar III and Henry the Lion. The crypt was completed around 1150, and the entire collegiate church in 1173. Over the centuries, the monastery experienced an increase in possessions, but also conflicts and mismanagement. A fire in 1278 damaged the buildings. In the 15th century, Riechenberg joined the Windesheim Congregation of Reform, leading to a new period of prosperity. Following the Hildesheim Diocesan Feud, the monastery became part of Brunswick in 1527 and was temporarily expanded into a fortress and used as a mint. In 1569, it became Lutheran, but in 1643, it returned under princely-episcopal rule, was re-Catholicized, and underwent Baroque renovations. The end of the foundation came with Provost Wilhelm de la Tour, whose extravagant administration led to financial insolvency and ultimately to its dissolution in 1794. The secularization in 1803 ended its monastic use, and the estate passed into state ownership. The collegiate church was demolished in 1818. Since 1988, Riechenberg has served as a home for an evangelical brotherhood and a venue for retreats.

Riechenberg Monastery is situated on the western edge of Goslar in Lower Saxony, Germany, at an elevation of approximately 230 meters above sea level.

The Romanesque crypt of the former collegiate church is today the most significant surviving part of the building. Portions of the west and north walls, the northern transept arm, and the choir of the collegiate church are also still preserved. The sacristy is used as a chapel. The Gethsemane Monastery evangelical brotherhood resides at Riechenberg Monastery. The monastic estate is managed by the Klosterkammer Hannover.

• Johanniterkommende Hl. Grab (monastery, approx. 2037 m away)
• Cistercian Nunnery Neuwerk (monastery, approx. 2353 m away)
• Rittergut Astfeld (manor house and estate, approx. 2376 m away)
• Stift Georgenberg, Goslar (Grauhof) (monastery, approx. 2394 m away)