St. Katharina

The monastery of St. Katharina was founded in 1122 as a Premonstratensian monastery, endowed by Count Walram III Paganus of Limburg. It was subordinate to Floreffe Abbey in Belgium and initially operated as a dual convent for men and women. In 1340, the male convent relocated to the newly founded Cross-Brother Monastery of Schwarzenbroich. A comprehensive reform shaped the monastery in 1489. During the 16th century, the complex suffered severe damage from looting during the Third Guelders War in 1542 and a fire in 1561, followed by further destructions. The church's choir with its ribbed vault was rebuilt in the 15th/16th century. French troops destroyed the monastery in 1642, but reconstruction took place in 1678. In the 18th century, the church received its Baroque furnishings. The Lisbon earthquake in 1755 caused further damage. In 1794, the monastery was confiscated by French troops and dissolved in 1802, ending 680 years of monastic history. From 1804, the monastery church served as the parish church of St. Katharina, and parts of the buildings were used for charitable purposes and as a village school. During World War II, the buildings of the former monastery complex were damaged. After 1956, extensive restoration of the former monastery complex took place, with the cloister and some outbuildings being preserved. In 1969, St. Katharina received new bells, and further restoration work on the cloister and the Pankratius altar was carried out in 1980 and 1999. The parish church of Wenau is also a station on the Way of St. James.

The former monastery of St. Katharina is located in Wenau, a district of Langerwehe in the Düren district, North Rhine-Westphalia. It belongs to the Diocese of Aachen.

The former monastery church now serves as the Roman Catholic parish church of St. Katharina and fulfills both religious and social functions. The complex is a protected monument. Among its art treasures are a wooden crucifixion group from the 13th century, the high altar based on plans by Johann Joseph Couven, a gallery balustrade, the organ casing, and the pulpit from the 18th century. Numerous old gravestones can be found in the church and in the crypt. Fragments of wall paintings from the early 15th century, depicting the Passion of Christ, were discovered and restored in 1992. A head relic of Saint Pankratius from 1198, as well as a tower monstrance from 1549 and a chalice from the 16th century, are also among the notable objects.

• Holzheim Castle (Castle, approx. 1073 m away)
• Laufenburg Castle (Castle, approx. 1505 m away)
• Karlsburg Castle Ruin (Ruin, approx. 1732 m away)
• Haus Schönthal (Mansion and manor house, approx. 1776 m away)