Altmünster

The foundation of the Altmünster women's monastery is dated to the late 7th or 8th century, with a document mentioning the year 734. It likely began as a small convent, possibly by the later canonized Bilhildis or as part of the Hiberno-Scottish mission. Initially known as Hohenmünster or Hagenmünster, it became established as Altmünster in the early Middle Ages. Originally following the Benedictine rules, it increasingly developed into a collegiate church in the 12th century. In 967/968, the monastery came under the administration of the Archdiocese of Magdeburg, but in 1112, under Archbishop Adalbert I, it was again placed under Mainz's supervision. A profound reform under Archbishop Siegfried III of Eppstein led to its incorporation into the Cistercian Order in 1243 and its subordination to Eberbach Abbey. In the late Middle Ages, the convent housed between 22 and 38 choir nuns, whose social background evolved from high nobility to daughters of urban patricians. In 1656, the nuns were forced to abandon their monastery, located outside the city walls, to make way for fortifications. Between 1656 and 1662, a new complex was built at the present-day Münsterplatz, including an early Baroque hall church. The abbey was dissolved on November 15, 1781, as part of the first dissolution of monasteries in Mainz.

The former Altmünster monastery was located in the city of Mainz in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The original complex was situated between today's Bahnhofs- and Münsterstrasse, Bilhildis- and Alicenstrasse. The later new building was erected at Münsterplatz at the foot of the Kästrich. The location is approximately 102 m above sea level.

Today, only a few remnants of the once rich interior furnishings of the former monastery complex are preserved. The most important relic, the Veil of Christ, is now located in Mainz Cathedral.

• Palais Erthaler Hof (Residence, approx. 202 m away)
• Palais Schönborner Hof (Residence, approx. 239 m away)
• Fortress Mainz-Bastion Alexander (Fortress, approx. 248 m away)
• Palais Stadioner Hof (Residence, approx. 260 m away)