Ranshofen Abbey

The history of Ranshofen began in 788 as the ducal court of "Rantesdorf" belonging to the Agilolfings. After the deposition of Duke Tassilo III, the property passed to the Carolingians and was elevated to an imperial palace under Charlemagne. Louis the German and his son Carloman resided here, and Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia had a Pankraz Chapel built between 896 and 898. Around 900, a community of secular priests was established here. Emperor Henry II founded the parish of Ranshofen before 1040, which was confirmed by Emperor Conrad II in 1040. From the community of secular priests at the Pankraz Chapel, an Augustinian Canons' Abbey emerged in 1125 under Duke Henry IX, consecrated in 1135. The monastery was granted the right of free abbatial election in 1147. Ranshofen was repeatedly devastated by wars, including in 1233, 1242, and 1266.