Schwarzenberg Abbey

The foundation of Kloster Schwarzenberg took place in 1702 as a hospice by the Thuringian province of the Franciscan Recollects. In 1732, it achieved the status of a convent. The monastery, dedicated to the patronage of Maria Hilf, developed into a center for pastoral care, particularly for Catholic soldiers in the predominantly Lutheran region. In 1751, 14 fathers and 4 brothers lived there, establishing a confraternity of the cord of Saint Francis. From 1761, the monastery also served as a study seminary, and from 1802, as a Latin school. Although the region came under Bavarian rule in 1807 and the Latin school's activities ceased, the monastery continued to exist. The Franciscans were allowed to continue their pastoral work and received support from the Archdiocese of Bamberg and the House of Schwarzenberg.