St. Marienstern Abbey

The St. Marienstern Abbey was founded in 1248 by the von Kamenz family, who, following the legacy of Bernhard II von Vesta, endowed the abbey with extensive landholdings. After initial difficulties with the choice of location, which necessitated a relocation from the hospital near Kamenz to Panschwitz-Kuckau, the foundation was episcopally confirmed in 1249, and the monastery was admitted to the Cistercian Order in 1264. Under the protection of the Margraves of Brandenburg and later the Kings of Bohemia, St. Marienstern developed. The main construction period took place from 1280 under Provost Bernhard III von Kamenz. In 1429, the monastery was plundered and set on fire during the Hussite Wars after the nuns had fled to Bautzen. Despite these events and the turbulent history, particularly the Reformation, the Tradition Recess of 1635 secured the abbey's continued existence in Protestant Saxony. The monastery, which enjoys the patronage of the Assumption of Mary, John the Baptist, and Ursula, was thus able to preserve a unique collection of monastic artifacts.