Wechselburg Priory

Wechselburg Benedictine Priory was dissolved in the 16th century and re-founded in 1993. Dedo V of Wettin founded the monastery, dedicated in 1168. Henry the Illustrious, Margrave of Meissen made a gift of it in 1278 to the Teutonic Order. In 1543 the abbey with all its possessions came into the hands of the territorial prince, Maurice, Elector of Saxony. It was eventually dissolved in 1570.

After the Thirty Years' War (1618–48) the lords of Schönburg built a Baroque castle on the foundations of the ruined abbey, which remained in the same family until their dispossession in 1945.

After the end of World War II the abbey church became the parish church and also a place of pilgrimage. In 1993 Benedictine monks from Ettal Abbey re-founded Wechselburg as a priory. Although the community is still small, they run a youth and family centre and are involved in pastoral care and managing the pilgrimages.

The Romanesque basilica of the Holy Cross remains as the parish church. It is famous for its huge and intricately carved medieval rood screen.

Address
Markt 10, Wechselburg, Germany

Established
1168