Marxzell

A legend from 1566 tells the story of Baron Berthold von Eberstein and Baron Albrecht von Zimmern, two german nobles. In 1134 Baron von Zimmern was hunting in the forests, where he had a horrifying encounter with a ghost. His hair color turned white immediately!!
Because of this, he promised to build a church. Eberstein, who was nearby when this happened, was so impressed, that he decided to finance and build a convent for women.

However, historical research shows that Frauenalb was built by Eberhard III von Eberstein and his mother Ute between 1880 and 1885 as a convent for noble women, most of whom became members during their childhood. About 30 nuns lived there at this time. It was thought of as a place for unmarried women, but which allowed them to live in a manner appropriate to their noble origin.

Frauenalb was damaged several times. In 1505 most of the buildings were destroyed by a fire. In 1525 the convent was robbed by rebelling peasants during the "Bauernkrieg" (peasant war). In 1598 the convent was closed, but reopened in 1631 during the Thirty Year War and used by benedictinian nuns.

In 1751 the construction of a new church with two towers was completed. In 1803 the convent was closed once again and became the property of several companies. Since 1853, after 4 fires just the ruins remain.Read more