Wülfinghausen Abbey

The origins of Wülfinghausen Monastery date back to 1236, when it was founded as an Augustinian convent in honor of the Virgin Mary. This followed an establishment in Engerode, built by Knight Ditmar von Oddingroht for Augustinian nuns. After a short period, it was relocated to Wülfinghausen, where Knight Arnold von Wülfinghausen provided the building site. The consecration took place in 1240. Despite donations, including from the Counts of Hallermund, the monastery initially remained poor. In 1323, the number of nuns was limited to 60, primarily from the nobility and propertied bourgeoisie. A fire in 1378 destroyed the monastery buildings. After the Reformation, the monastery converted to Lutheran doctrine in 1543 and was secularized in 1593, subsequently serving as an Evangelical women's convent for single ladies.