HISTORY
HOLZEN IN THE TIMES OF CHANGE
Monastery. Palace. Hotel. Over the centuries Holzen has been in the possession of some very different owners and his been used in a variety ways. They have all left their mark and have shaped the face and spirit of Holzen.
History at a glance
- 1150 Founding of the "New Waters" Benedictine double monastery
- 12th century Monastery is moved to the edge of the forest on the western banks of the River Schmutter and name is changed to "Holzen"
- 1470 Dissolution of the male convent
- 1525/47 Severe damage during the Peasants' War in 1525 and the Smalcald War in 1546/47
- 1556 Reconstruction on the monastery and the church
- 1617 Raised to abbey status by Bishop Henry V.
- 1632 Abandoned due to the Swedish invasion; returned in 1647
- 17th century Severe deterioration of the monastery complex with the result being demolition of planning of a new complex
- 1696 Laying of the foundation stone for the current monastery on the Karlsberg mountain
- 1802 Secularisation
- until 1927 The palace is in the possession of the Earl of Treuberg
- 1927 The palace is purchased by the St. Joseph Congregation Ursberg and is used once again as a monastery and as a home for the mentally disabled and old people, during the Second World War had to be vacated to make room for a hospital ward.
- since 1952 Restoration of the monastery complex
- 1996 Transfer of ownership through establishment of the Dominikus-Ringeisen-Foundation
- 2008 Kloster Holzen GmbH is founded
- 2010 Convent building is converted into a hotel
- Autumn 2011 Hotel opens
You can read all about the eventful history of Holzen in the high-quality photo book "Kloster Holzen: A Jewel of the Swabian Baroque". This is available for viewing and purchase at our hotel reception desk.
You can take part in the monastery tour with our Sister Katharina. Sister Katharina will guide you through Kloster Holzen while telling some fascinating stories.