St. Marx Abbey, Gueberschwihr, France

St. Marx Abbey was a Benedictine nunnery in Gueberschwihr in Alsace, founded in about 1105. Since 1845 it has been the principal house of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Marc, rebuilt in 1852 after a disastrous fire.

Before the foundation of the nunnery there had been a community of monks on the site, which came to an end after a serious fire. Abbot Theoger of St. George's (1088-1119) replaced it with the nunnery, which was made subordinate to St. George's in 1184, according to a deed of Pope Lucius III. In about 1400 a monk of St. George's was mentioned as the prior here, as were possessions of the nunnery in Geberschweier and Osenbach.

In 1710 a beer brewery was built there. In 1754 the priory was transferred from St. George's to Ebersmünster Abbey in Alsace.

In 1845 the premises, empty since the French Revolution, were used by Abbé Pierre Paul Blanck to establish a women's community under the Benedictine Rule combining the veneration of the Holy Sacrament with manual labour and the care of orphans. The buildings burnt down in 1852 and the difficulties facing the new community were so great that it seemed impossible for it to survive. Against all odds it did continue and was constituted as a formal order on 9 October 1868 with the election and appointment of Sister Maria Xavier as superior.

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User Reviews

Giorgino Mylene (13 months ago)
Very beautiful place with a view of the whole valley. Everyone is adorable

Kris & (15 months ago)
Pilgrim on St Jacques walking towards the convent, I just called him to find out if he could take us because a violent storm is announced. I was turned away. No. Bravo for your Christian charity. We weren't asking for a room, just a piece of roof.

Olivier Combier (16 months ago)
If even this kind of establishment prefers to welcome groups of tourists (ok they were retirees), than pilgrims who walk on the way to Compostela! It's really a pity! Plus, she hung up on me! ?

Itzhak Ramm (5 years ago)
Nice place, went there by bike and was a fun place to stop at, just 200 Meyers below there is a place where you can sleep and drink, very nice place a good people.

Michel Barbiche (5 years ago)
For those who are looking for silence in themselves and around them, it is with the Sisters of St Joseph that you have to go. Well received, beautiful rooms, good meal all in the nature of Alsace. Same question price it's not a fortune to spend but as a bonus it's this calm in prayer

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