Schwarzenbroich Abbey

The foundation of Schwarzenbroich Monastery dates back to 1340, when Werner von Merode allegedly had an apparition of the Apostle Matthias. This led to permission from Archbishop Walram of Cologne to build a monastery for the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross here. The founder ensured good endowments, including the patronage rights over the parish of Mariaweiler. In the 15th century, the monastery experienced a boom, as many sons of the Rhenish nobility joined the order, bringing land and assets with them. This enabled the construction of a new monastery church, consecrated in 1429. After renovations in the 16th century and destructions during the Thirty Years' War, the church was rebuilt in 1712. In the course of the French Revolution, the Canons Regular had to flee in 1794; although 13 canons returned, the monastery was dissolved in 1802.