St. Walburg Abbey

The origins of the monastery trace back to the 9th century when the relics of Saint Walburga were transferred to Eichstätt between 870 and 879, to a site where a small cross church already stood. Canonesses subsequently settled at this location. In 1035, Count Liutger of Lechsgmünd and Graisbach founded the Benedictine nunnery, with Imma, a niece of the founder, serving as its first abbess. The initial endowment included lands in several surrounding villages. In the 15th century, under Bishop Johann III von Eych, the monastery, by then an important institution for noble daughters, underwent reform. During the Thirty Years' War in 1634, the monastic buildings suffered extensive destruction by fire but were subsequently rebuilt in the Baroque style. Although the monastery was secularized in 1806 during the transition of the Prince-Bishopric of Eichstätt to Bavaria, the nuns were permitted to continue their community life due to their unanimous desire to remain faithful to their vows. The monastery was revitalized in 1835 by order of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, with the condition that the nuns would undertake the education of girls in Eichstätt. In 1914, the monastery was elevated to an abbey.