Pfannstiel

The origins of Pfannstiel date back to the mid-15th century. At that time, a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary was said to have been discovered in the forest near "Panstyl," leading to the formation of a "Society and Brotherhood of the Rosary of Our Lady of Panstiel." Through donations and bequests, a small church was built, first documented in 1461. This Church of "Our Lady and St. John" quickly became a popular pilgrimage site. From 1471 or 1472, the Knights Hospitaller of the Nieder-Weisel Commandery took over the care of the site. In 1482, Count Philipp II of Nassau-Weilburg officially transferred the church to the Hospitaller Commandery of Wiesenfeld. However, the Count retained extensive oversight and appointed three "master builders" to supervise construction, manage finances, and ensure the provision of necessities for pilgrims. The reputation of miracles at Pfannstiel grew, as did the number of pilgrims and income. The complex was expanded to include a residence for the prior and a second friar, farm buildings, an inn, and pilgrim accommodation. In 1488, the choir and high altar were consecrated, but the following year, the church burned to the ground. With the support of Count Philipp II and Elisabeth of Hesse, a larger, three-aisled new building with five altars was erected, though its completion took until 1517. Funding came partly from an indulgence letter granted by Pope Innocent VIII and partly from growing income. The walled complex eventually included the church with its churchyard, the stone priests' residence, accommodation and catering facilities, as well as stables and barns.

The former Pfannstiel Monastery was situated in the district of Hirschhausen in the Limburg-Weilburg region of Hesse, Germany. It was located by the Grundbach stream, near the present-day hamlet of Pfannenstiel and county road 412, approximately 4.5 kilometers east of Weilburg.

Today, only minor wall remnants of the former monastic complex remain. Since July 11, 2009, a newly erected Hospitaller cross marks the historic site.

• Windhof Castle (Weilburg) (Castle, approx. 2243 m away)
• Laneburg Ruin (Löhnberg) (Ruin, approx. 3584 m away)
• Weilburg Castle (Castle, approx. 3891 m away)
• Freienfels Ruin (Ruin, approx. 3927 m away)